Fourth seed Mark Williams was dumped out of the International Championship at the first round stage today as Mark Davis produced an impressive performance in Chengdu.

The Scottish Crown Counsel have found insufficient evidence to justify a criminal prosecution following an investigation into the 2008 UK Championship match between Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association have confirmed in a statement.

Ronnie O'Sullivan was today setting out to seal his place in the second round of the Betfred.com World Championship after launching his title bid in impressive style.

Stephen Hendry has revealed he could quit snooker this summer even if he wins the Betfred.com World Championship for an eighth time.

Ronnie O’Sullivan begins his Betfred.com World Championship campaign today – 11 days after ruling himself out of the tournament.

BARRY HEARN has vowed to do whatever it takes to avoid the “nightmare scenario” of another corruption scandal engulfing this year’s Betfred.com World Championship.

Barry Hearn has vowed to do whatever it takes to avoid the “nightmare scenario” of another corruption scandal engulfing this year’s Betfred.com World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins were today handed tough-looking first-round draws for this year’s Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.

Six-time winner Steve Davis tonight failed to qualify for the World Championship after he was thrashed in the final round of qualifying by Stephen Lee.

World number four Ali Carter came from 4-1 down to beat Matthew Stevens in a thrilling Shanghai Masters quarter-final today.

Stephen Maguire and Mark Williams both crashed out of the Shanghai Masters to lower-ranked opponents today.

Ken Doherty came from 3-1 and 4-2 down to beat Mohammad Sajjad 5-4 and avoid an embarrassing first-round exit in the Shanghai Masters.

WORLD Snooker chief Barry Hearn yesterday warned that the sport could die unless greedy players learn to resist temptation.

Snooker supremo Barry Hearn has warned he will take strong action if any evidence is discovered of corruption in the sport.

Stephen Maguire admits he looks forward to the day when he is no longer the subject of a police investigation.

Ronnie O’Sullivan claims John Higgins has underachieved in his career but believes the Scot will be full of confidence heading into the Grand Prix in Glasgow.

Two snooker players were detained by police today in collection with an alleged irregular betting patterns during a UK championship match.

Mark Allen will be hoping he can continue to hold his own against Ronnie O'Sullivan when they resume their second-round match at the World Snooker Championship this afternoon.

Ronnie O'Sullivan eased through to the second round of the Welsh Open with a 5-2 victory over Steve Davis in Newport last night.

Former world champion Shaun Murphy was closing in on a place in the UK Championship semi-finals after opening up a 7-1 lead over Stephen Lee in Telford.

World Snooker insist they will do everything possible to protect the “integrity” of the sport after revealing they are to launch a formal investigation into irregular betting surrounding the Maplin UK Championship.

WORLD SNOOKER confirmed they will conduct a formal investigation into the betting controversy surrounding Jamie Burnett’s defeat to Stephen Maguire at the Maplin UK Championship in Telford earlier this week.

Jamie Cope caused the first major upset of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix today when he dumped out world number two Stephen Maguire in Glasgow.

Stephen Maguire pocketed a memorable 147 maximum as he battled his way past Ryan Day and into tomorrow's Honghe Industrial China Open final.

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.

Neil Robertson earned the respect of Stephen Hendry after keeping his cool to beat the seven-times world champion in Newport tonight.

SUPER-CONFIDENT Shaun Murphy was in record-breaking form at the Welsh Open yesterday.

Dave Harold expects nothing less than a “battle” with UK champion Peter Ebdon at the Welsh Open today.

Ronnie O’Sullivan feels he is losing the killer instinct that has made him snooker’s most feared opponent.

SHAUN MURPHY and Neil Robertson, two of snooker’s hottest young properties, crashed out at the opening hurdle of the Maplin UK Championship in York last night.

Ireland's Joe Swail has made it through to the next round of the UK Championship after beating Joe Delaney in his opening tie last night.

Alan McManus maintained his encouraging start to the season when he began his Maplin UK Championship campaign in York today.

World champion Graeme Dott was forced to dig deep to book his place in the second round of the Northern Ireland Trophy this morning.

Paul Hunter, who has been battling against cancer, returned to action at the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York today as the big names entered the fray.

World number 18 Barry Pinches was in danger of a shock first-round exit as the Travis Perkins UK Championship got under way in York today.

World number four Paul Hunter crashed out of the Malta Cup today at the hands of journeyman Stuart Pettman.

Aussie bad-boy Quinten Hann swaps his boxing gloves for a snooker cue today as the Totesport Grand Prix enters its third day at Preston’s Guild Hall.

Stephen Hendry began his new snooker campaign with a fortuitous win in Preston tonight.

Mark Williams afforded himself a smile after reaching the last eight of the Daily Record Players Championship in Glasgow last night.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is poised to land a £50,000 (€75,824) pay day after reaching the Daily Record Players Championship quarter-finals in Glasgow today.

Stephen Hendry revealed he is finding snooker a “chore” and that he “can’t be bothered playing” after making a shock exit from the Citywest Irish Masters in Dublin today.

Citywest Irish Masters results, Dublin

STEPHEN HENDRY is eyeing yet another landmark as he bids to claim the Irish Masters title in Dublin this week.

Ireland’s Ken Doherty has progressed to the second round of the Regal Welsh Open after beating Thailand’s James Wattana 5-2 in Cardiff this afternoon.