Lift off for Rocket Ronnie

Ronnie O’Sullivan seized the initiative in the opening session of his Embassy World Championship semi-final with Stephen Hendry as he galloped into a 6-2 lead in the best-of-33-frame encounter.

O’Sullivan will leapfrog deposed title holder Mark Williams into top slot in the 2004-2005 snooker rankings by merely reaching the final on Sunday where he would face either Graeme Dott or Matthew Stevens.