Ronnie O’Sullivan gets his chance for revenge on Shaun Murphy when they square off in the first Champion of Champions semi-finals at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on Friday evening.

‘The Rocket’ was beaten 10-8 by Murphy in last year’s decider, though he would reverse that form with a stunning 10-5 UK Championship final success less than a month later.

Now O’Sullivan, who defeated Stuart Bingham and John Higgins to win Group 4 and book his semi-final spot, has the chance to make it a hat-trick of wins over former world champions this week.

On his way to victories on Tuesday, O’Sullivan notched an impressive four century breaks in the ten frames he claimed. Murphy was also impressive in winning his group, notching five 75+ breaks, including a 118 and 110, as he dispatched Ding Junhui 6-3.

‘The Magician’ has enjoyed an up-and-down season to this point with third round appearances at the China Championship and English Open his best results, but he will be determined to cling onto the only title he won last season.

Despite a limited playing schedule in the opening months of the season, O’Sullivan has already managed to pocket the Shanghai Masters crown, becoming the first player to defend that particular title when he defeated Barry Hawkins 11-9 in a high-quality final.

O’Sullivan will be aiming to add to his 33 career ranking titles with the defence of his UK Championship looming up but, for now, the 42-year-old will set his sights on appearing in a fifth Champion of Champions final in the six years since the event was reintroduced.

Victorious in 2013 and 2014, the five-time world champion has lost the previous two deciders to Higgins and Murphy.

O’Sullivan is 5.00 to win Friday’s match 6-3, while Murphy can be backed at 3.80 to make the final in Coventry.