Repentant O'Sullivan behind

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN yesterday apologised for the second time at the World Championship in Sheffield. O'Sullivan, who began his semi final with Peter Ebdon in the afternoon, offered to make his public apology to tournament official Mike Ganley a personal one after Wednesday's close encounter with John Higgins.

After concluding a two hour 16 minute first session, he was as good as his word. The 20 year old from Chigwell, fined a record £20,000 for his attack backstage at The Crucible last Sunday, shook hands in his dressing room.

Assistant press officer Ganley, who suffered a bruised lip during the assault, and the World number three had earlier come face to face for the first time since the attack.

Last week O'Sullivan also apologised to Alain Robidoux for derogatory comments directed at the French Canadian following their acrimonious first round meeting.

Certainly O'Sullivan, with his hair neatly trimmed for his semifinal debut, appeared more relaxed than for any time during the last incident packed few days.

Even though he finished second best after the first seven frames, there was still a smile on his face. Ebdon secured a 4-3 overnight lead, ending the opening session of four in the best possible manner. A 109 break was his sixth century of the championship equalling O'Sullivan's achievements. Both, though remain two shy of defending champ ion Stephen Hendry who has compiled a fifth of the 40 tons made so far.

World number 10 Ebdon, also appearing in the last four at the Crucible for the first time, is now hoping history will repeat itself. "Tommy White, Jimmy's dad, came up to us after Peter had beaten Steve Davis last night and said everyone who has knocked out Jimmy has gone on to win the championship," explained his co manager Ramsay McLellan.

That has certainly been true in the last six years with Hendry and John Parrott (in 1991) all lifting the game's greatest prize after leaving White as the Sheffield nearly man.

Ebdon edged out the people's champion 13-12 in the last 16 before accounting for Davis 13-10 on Wednesday night. After that nine and a half hour victory he tumbled theatrically to the floor. "I did it through a mixture of relief and sheer emotion, he explained.

McLellan doesn't believe those marathon matches have sapped Ebdon's stamina. "I think he showed this afternoon there's still plenty in the tank.

The match resumes this morning with seven more frames. They are due to play another eight tonight before the semi final concludes around tea time tomorrow.

In the other semi final, Hendry established a slender lead on Nigel Bond as the champion made a steady if unspectacular start. The 27 year old Scot, seeking his 24th straights victory at the Crucible, resumes this afternoon 4-3 ahead of the 1995 runner up.

Hendry, who had O'Sullivan's victory over John Higgins to thank for retaining his world number one position, opened the match with a 98 break. From then until the close, Hendry managed only one more run over 50 as Bond kept the break on his Scottish stablemate's fabled potting ability.