RONNIE O’SULLIVAN is into the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open after a 5-3 win over Mark Selby.

The seven-time world champion declared on Wednesday that he had “absolutely no chance” of winning the tournament, but the manner of his win against a great rival suggests otherwise.

Selby, who had his sights on regaining the world number one spot, gained an early 2-0 advantage but breaks of 87, 96 and 72 saw O’Sullivan go into the lead.

O’Sullivan was then 10 reds and blacks into a 147 attempt in the seventh frame before missing a simple red, but he got over the line with a 129 break to seal a comfortable win.

“We’ve had some unbelievable battles,” O’Sullivan told World Snooker. “I look at Mark and I know where he is at, as I was there seven or eight years ago.

“He has a lot of good years left in the game. I think he is going to be around for a long time. He is a legend of the game and an all-time great.”

The 50-year-old will now meet Chang Bingyu in the semi-final after his 5-1 thumping of outgoing world number one Judd Trump.

“You have Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize, but this kid is up with them,” O’Sullivan added. “Without a doubt.

“He was storming through the season and I said to my mate I fancied him to win the event in Taiyuan. He got beat by Neil Robertson but anyone can lose a match.

“He’s here in the semi-finals and maybe he is going to win a trophy. You probably have to say he is favourite to win the tournament.”

Chang top-scored with a 132 on his way to an emphatic win as he booked just his second last-four spot.

Chang said: “It was really quite unexpected today. Before yesterday’s match I told myself to just relax and play, and that it would be enough if I could produce my own game.

“Today, I was also quite lucky because he just happened not to be in the best form.”