By Julian Shea BBC Sport at Wembley

Hunter was in superb form

Paul Hunter 6-1 Stephen Lee

Paul Hunter stayed on course for a third consecutive Wembley title with a thumping win over Stephen Lee to ease into the semi-finals.

The defending champion was in sparkling form and put himself in line for an extra �22,000 for the tournament's highest break with a 138 in the sixth frame.

Hunter might even have registered the second-ever maximum at the Masters but had to settle for 104 after sinking 13 reds and blacks in the second frame.

See Hunter clinch his victory

Lee did little wrong in the opening frames but found himself 4-0 down at the interval as Hunter took advantage of every opening.

If I play like that on Saturday, God help who I play Paul Hunter

Lee did pull a frame back on the resumption but Hunter pulled away again, a 98 break in the final frame sealing a commanding win.

The Yorkshireman is now two wins away from joining Stephen Hendry and Cliff Thorburn among players to win the Masters three times in a row.

"I played very well, I felt very comfortable out there," Hunter admitted. "I think this place brings the best out of me."

Hunter believes he has matured into a better player since curtailing his social life away from the table.

"I am doing everything right now," he added. "A couple of years ago I would go out drinking the night before matches.

"But I knew I had a talent and there is no point in wasting it."