US Edition 
Ronnie O’Sullivan benefits in his World Championship semi-final from Matthew Stevens' sportsmanship
Ronnie O’Sullivan has not seemed like a man in need of a helping hand as he pursues a fourth Betfred.com World Championship title but he benefited from the sportsmanship of Matthew Stevens in the semi-final on Thursday night.
Stevens called a costly foul on himself, one which referee Brendan Moore and O’Sullivan had apparently not spotted, in the second frame of an opening session which he finished trailing 5-3.
Stevens, in his first semi-final since 2005, when he finished runner-up to Shaun Murphy in his second final, would undoubtedly have taken a 5-3 deficit at the midway point of the session, when he trailed 4-0.
Having dropped the opening frame, Stevens had an early chance in the next. He potted a red and rather than play a pot looked to run up behind the yellow, near the green spot.
He made connection but immediately called a push shot on himself.
O’Sullivan tapped the table in approval and benefited from a free ball, compiling a 52 break that gave him a two-frame lead.
In the other semi-final, Ali Carter also took a 5-3 lead against Stephen Maguire.
Carter, who has the bowel disorder Crohn’s disease, said: “It’s a very long match but my problems haven’t beaten me yet and they’re not going to.
"I’m just delighted to prove to myself and all the doubters that I’ve still got what it takes.”