Defending champion John Higgins crashed out of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield and launched a furious attack on the playing conditions and tournament officials.

Peter Ebdon tonight became the first player into the quarter-finals of the 888.com World Championship with victory over Mark King in Sheffield.

Ronnie O’Sullivan today edged closer to a place in the second round of the 888.com World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Ken Doherty tonight crashed out of the 888.com World Championship in the first round in Sheffield, England.

Former champion Graeme Dott today suffered his 16th straight defeat to crash out of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield.

Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry tonight hailed his greatest ever first round victory in 23 visits to the Crucible.

Matthew Stevens came close to a 147 maximum break on the opening morning of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield today.

Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted he was “gutted” to have exited the 888.com World Championship after his dreams of a third Crucible crown were ruined by John Higgins.

Former champion John Higgins held off a dogged fightback from tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan to clinch a 13-9 quarter-final victory at the 888.com World Championship.

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.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins remain locked at 4-4 after the first session of their quarter-final clash at the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield.

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.

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.

Ali Carter brought the first round of the 888.com World Championship to a close by beating Devon left-hander Andy Hicks 10-4.

Mark Selby believes the Crucible crowd could be in for a treat when he meets Peter Ebdon in the second round of the 888.com World Championship.

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.

Jimmy White admitted he was “devastated” after missing out on a place in the final stages of the 888.com World Championship for only the second time in his 27-year career in Prestatyn tonight.

Judd Trump is one win away from becoming the youngest person to play at the Crucible in 14 years after beating Jamie Cope 10-7 to reach the final qualifying round of the 888.com World Championship at Prestatyn today.

Peter Ebdon admitted he would have been “a broken man” had he failed to reach his third Crucible final after revealing his four children were flying over from Dubai for the conclusion of the 888.com World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was completely out of sorts as Graeme Dott threatened to pull off a shock victory in their 888.com World Championship semi-final by winning the opening four frames to move 12-8 ahead 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.

When the 888.com World Championship began 12 days ago, the bookmakers rated an Asian winner of the title about as likely as South Korea winning this summer’s World Cup.

Graeme Dott thwarted a magnificent fightback from Australia’s Neil Robertson to reach the semi-finals for the second time in three years at the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN was warned for swearing and title-holder Shaun Murphy suffered a nightmare in the two showpiece quarter-finals of the 888.com World Championship at the Crucible Theatre yesterday.

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.

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.

Rising Australian star Neil Robertson showed he is a real contender for the 888.com World Championship with an impressive 13-9 second-round win over Stephen Lee in Sheffield tonight.

Organisers of the 888.com World Championship will take action at the weekend to try to improve conditions on the tables after a series of complaints from players.

Snooker’s authorities came under fire again today when Joe Swail described the table as an “absolute joke” after losing to Matthew Stevens in the first round of the 888.com World Championship.

If a week is a long time in politics, a year in snooker can be an eternity - and that is how it feels for Ken Doherty.

KEN DOHERTY inflicted a Crucible debut nightmare on rising star Barry Hawkins when he cruised into the second round of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield yesterday.

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.

Stephen Maguire made it third time lucky at the Crucible Theatre today as he reached the second round of the 888.com World Championship with a 10-6 victory over Mark King.

Ken Doherty inflicted a Crucible debut nightmare on rising star Barry Hawkins when he cruised into the second round of the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield today.

Crucible champion Shaun Murphy wants to establish himself at the top of the world rankings after modifying his all-round game in the past 12 months.

Shaun Murphy stuttered towards a 6-3 lead against James Wattana in the first session of his Crucible title defence on the opening day of the 888.com World Championship.

Mark Williams believes his China Open success makes him a real contender for next month’s 888.com World Championship.

Stephen Lee staved off a spirited comeback from Anthony Hamilton and overcame badly timed problems with his cue-tip to remain on course for Welsh Open glory at Newport tonight.