New world number one John Higgins put an uncertain start behind him to open up a 5-3 lead in the first session of the 888.com World Championship final against qualifier Mark Selby in Sheffield.

Two-time Crucible champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is on the brink of defeat at the 888.com World Championship today after a stunning second session from John Higgins left ’the Rocket’ 11-5 behind.

Tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan is two frames away from exiting the 888.com World Championship after being blown away by John Higgins.

Shaun Murphy and Matthew Stevens were locked at 4-4 after the first session of their quarter-final clash at the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield.

Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted he “never felt comfortable” during a stern examination by Neil Robertson as he reached the quarter-finals of the 888.com World Championship.

Trainee pilot Ali Carter hopes to continue flying high when he contests the quarter-finals of the 888.com World Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre today.

Stephen Hendry averted a second consecutive first-round exit from the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield as he fought back for a 10-7 victory against little-known David Gilbert.

Snooker legend Steve Davis has hit back at criticism of the go-slow 888.com World Championship final between Graeme Dott and Peter Ebdon and insisted: “I don’t think it has damaged the game.”

Graeme Dott’s first 888.com World Championship crown has pushed the Scot into the top six of the WPBSA rankings for the 2006-2007 campaign.

Queen fan Graeme Dott could have been forgiven for thinking: ‘Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy?’ after winning his first 888.com World Championship crown in a marathon final with Peter Ebdon.

Scotland’s Graeme Dott was crowned world snooker champion after his gruelling final against Peter Ebdon came to life in grand style last night.

Graeme Dott has won the World Championship with an 18-14 victory over Peter Ebdon in the final.

Peter Ebdon and Graeme Dott made history by being involved in the longest frame in 29 years of World Championship snooker at the Crucible Theatre.

Peter Ebdon is marching relentlessly towards his third 888.com World Championship final after another faultless exhibition stretched his lead to 13-7 against Marco Fu at the Crucible Theatre.

Ronnie Sullivan was embroiled in more controversy as his 888.com World Championship semi-final with Graeme Dott heads for a thrilling climax.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was well below his best again as Graeme Dott fought back to level their 888.com World Championship semi-final at 6-6 at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

A tale of two cue tips ended in success for Ronnie O’Sullivan as he enjoyed a night to remember against Ryan Day in the second round of the 888.com World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan eclipsed the highest break of this year’s 888.com World Championship today but it was not enough to help him to a first-session lead against Ryan Day.

Shaun Murphy told his fellow players to stop moaning about the tables after reaching the quarter-finals of the 888.com World Championship with a 13-7 victory over Steve Davis today.

Paul Hunter showed again tonight that his fighting qualities are not limited to his ongoing battle against cancer despite a first-round defeat at the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield.

New Embassy World Champion Shaun Murphy revealed he had a “quiet night” after his heroic final victory over Matthew Stevens at the Crucible last night.

Matthew Stevens has insisted he will shed himself of the unwanted title of Crucible nearly-man and win the World Snooker Championships before he hangs up his cue.

Shock winner Shaun Murphy dedicated his Embassy World Championship title success to his father Tony and claimed: “Without his help, I would not be in this position.”

Newly-crowned champion Shaun Murphy admitted he was nervous as he edged a thrilling Embassy World Championship final.

Snooker is celebrating a new star in Shaun Murphy as he became the first qualifier to win the Embassy World Championship for 26 years.

Shaun Murphy has beaten Matthew Stevens 18-16 in the final of the Embassy World snooker championship.

Matthew Stevens suffered another attack of Crucible jitters as outsider Shaun Murphy staged a stunning comeback in the Embassy World Championship final.

Outsider Shaun Murphy looked back to his best as he won three of the opening four frames against Matthews Stevens when the Embassy World Championship Final resumed in Sheffield.

Matthew Stevens is in pole position to finally end his Crucible hoodoo after taking command of the opening day of his Embassy World Championship final clash with qualifier Shaun Murphy.

Favourite Matthew Stevens gained the early advantage over qualifier Shaun Murphy in a tense and scrappy opening session of their Embassy World Championship final in Sheffield.

Shaun Murphy has become the first qualifier to reach the Embassy World Championship final for 26 years after overwhelming Peter Ebdon 17-12 with a near flawless display.

Peter Ebdon again showed his resilience in burying the memory of a disastrous second session to draw level with outsider Shaun Murphy in their Embassy World Championship semi-final.

Shaun Murphy produced a stunning comeback to storm into a 9-7 lead against Peter Ebdon and revive his hopes of reaching his first Embassy World Championship final.

Peter Ebdon has received the backing of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s mentor Ray Reardon as he looks to strengthen his grip on the Embassy World Championship semi-final with outsider Shaun Murphy.

Ian McCulloch stunned new tournament favourite Matthew Stevens by opening up a four-frame lead in the opening session of their Embassy World Championship semi-final tonight.

Peter Ebdon quickened the pace after his controversial go-slow against Ronnie O’Sullivan to seize early control of his Embassy World Championship semi-final with Shaun Murphy.

Peter Ebdon played at express pace compared to his crawl against Ronnie O'Sullivan in seizing the early advantage in his Embassy World Championship semi-final against outsider Shaun Murphy.

Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed he will take a year off from snooker after losing his Embassy World Championship crown in a 13-11 quarter-final defeat to Peter Ebdon.

Matthew Stevens maintained his ultra-consistent record of reaching the Embassy World Championship semi-finals today, booking a place in the last four with a 13-11 victory over Stephen Hendry.

A break of 47 in tonight’s final frame spared Steve Davis the humiliation of losing his Embassy World Championship quarter-final against Shaun Murphy inside two sessions.

Peter Ebdon could only sit and watch a Ronnie O’Sullivan masterclass today - and admitted he was privileged to be sharing a table with the ’Rocket’.

Shaun Murphy, fresh from a brilliant display against John Higgins, maintained that terrific form in his Embassy World Championship quarter-final against Steve Davis at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre today.

A true clash of the generations over the next two days will produce an Embassy World Championship semi-finalist few people would have predicted.

Mark Williams joined another former winner, John Higgins, in slipping out of the Embassy World Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre tonight.