Snooker: Favourites take nothing for granted

Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins are playing down their favourites tag for the Stan James British Open semi-finals.

On form and on rankings they should go head-to-head for a major title for the second time in a fortnight on Sunday.

Higgins meets Mark King, the world number 13, over the best of 11 frames and O'Sullivan follows against Graeme Dott, the world number 14.

But O'Sullivan said: "Graeme is a fighter and he is hungry to do well. I certainly won't be thinking I've got a right to win.

"You've got to go out there and earn it."

Dott has twice lost to O'Sullivan in big-time semi-finals, but is determined not to make it an unfortunate hat-trick.

"I prefer the low-key approach," said Dott after his 5-3 victory over Ali Carter. "I've gone quietly along unnoticed but I'd love to win this tournament and it seems up for grabs."

Higgins is also refusing to be complacent against King.

"It's happened so many times before that if you underestimate so-called lesser players, you slip up," said Higgins. "I'm not taking anything for granted."

King does not have the best of records against Higgins, but a 5-0 whitewash of defending champion Peter Ebdon game him extra confidence.

"I'd love to take the silverware home from here," said the underrated left-hander.