Stephen Maguire sealed automatic qualification for the World Championship at the Crucible later this month by advancing to the semi-finals of the China Open in Beijing.

HE has a string of hits to his name but Scottish singer-songwriter Midge Ure couldn’t be less interested in the hype about being a star. 

John Higgins recorded an impressive break of 122 as he saw off fellow Scot Anthony McGill 5-3 to reach the second round of the Wuxi Classic in China.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was in relaxed mood after a straightforward first-round outing at the UK Championship against Scottish amateur Rhys Clark.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's verdict after inflicting another defeat on Ali Carter was that he was already feeling the strain of the Betfair World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan powered through to the quarter-finals of the Betfair World Championship tonight, but admitted he already feels worn out.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was today bidding to maintain his impeccable record against Ali Carter as last year’s finalists reached the climax of their second-round clash at the Betfair World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan turned on the style just when he looked to be wobbling to stay ahead of Ali Carter in their Betfair World Championship second-round showdown.

Weary world number one Mark Selby staggered to a dismal Crucible defeat as his dream of completing snooker’s ’triple crown’ was dashed by a stunning Barry Hawkins comeback.

Judd Trump, Ding Junhui and world number one Mark Selby were today beginning their challenges at the Betfair World Championship as the seeds continued to fall.

Peter Ebdon and Graeme Dott took their gruelling Betfair World Championship first-round first-to-10 match into extra time today.

Ronnie O’Sullivan will begin the defence of his Betfair World Championship title against Scotland’s Marcus Campbell.

John Higgins made a maximum break but still bowed out of the williamhill.com UK Championship to Mark Davis.

Belgian teenager Luca Brecel tonight insisted he could win the williamhill.com UK Championship after setting up a quarter-final against Shaun Murphy.

Ken Doherty survived a tense finish to edge past Anthony Hamilton and book his place in the Betfred.com World Championship draw last night.

Jimmy White booked a first-round China Open clash with Judd Trump by coming through qualifying today,

WHEREAS Tramore have captured the Barton Shield on three occasions, Mitchelstown were contesting the national finals of any competition when they took on Ballina in the semi-final of the Irish Junior Cup at Castlerock, Co Derry, yesterday.

THE tail-end of Hurricane Katia has made the practice rounds for the Chartis Irish Cups and Shields finals at Castlerock, Co Derry over the past few days more a test of stamina than skill, although it is confidently expected calm will have been restored when the festival gets under way today with the semi-finals of both the Barton Shield and Irish Junior Cup.

ANTHONY HAMILTON turned his angry attentions to a cameraman after his giant-killing run at the Shanghai Masters came to an end.

British potter Anthony Hamilton turned his angry attentions to a cameraman after his giant-killing run at the Shanghai Masters came to an end.

Judd Trump shattered Chinese dreams as he became the youngest finalist this century at the Betfred.com World Championship.

Judd Trump today faced a cliffhanger of a closing session against Ding Junhui as he attempted to extend his fairytale run at the Betfred.com World Championship into the final.

Judd Trump might come a close second in the popularity stakes to Ding Junhui in China but in Sheffield it is a no-contest.

John Higgins was proclaimed snooker's "Terminator" after refusing to let his Betfred.com World Championship dream die.

John Higgins began what could be an emotional journey to a fourth Crucible title with a hint of early anxiety followed by a masterclass this evening.

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.

John Higgins admitted he was "all over the place" after returning to action for the first time since his father's death with a workmanlike 4-3 win over youngster Jack Lisowski today.

World number one John Higgins has withdrawn from the German Masters in Berlin following the death of his father.

Veteran Nigel Bond proved himself a champion sprinter as he triumphed at the Snooker Shoot-Out in Blackpool tonight.

DEFENDING champion Mark Selby crashed out of the Ladbrokes Mobile Masters in the first round at Wembley.

Defending champion Mark Selby today crashed out of the Ladbrokes Mobile Masters in the first round at Wembley.

Ronnie O’Sullivan produced a golden hour of snooker to destroy Glasgow’s Stephen Maguire’s hopes of home town glory at the 12bet.com World Open.

Ronnie O’Sullivan sent Stephen Hendry tumbling out of the 12bet.com World Open but admitted he might not have the hunger to last the distance in Glasgow.

BARRY HEARN yesterday claimed snooker would lead the way in tackling corruption in sport as he promised a “zero tolerance” approach at the launch of a new integrity unit.

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

Steve Davis pulled off the greatest shock of the Betfred.com World Championship today when he sent last year’s winner John Higgins out of the tournament.

Neil Robertson avoided a sticky end to his Betfred.com World Championship campaign but admitted knocking out Fergal O'Brien was as tough as extracting chewing gum from a carpet.

NEIL ROBERTSON avoided a sticky end to his Betfred.com World Championship campaign but admitted knocking out Ireland’s Fergal O’Brien was as tough as extracting chewing gum from a carpet.

Ryan Day became the third seeded player to crash out in the first round at the Betfred.com World Championship as Mark Davis followed namesake Steve into the last 16.

Steve Davis was bracing himself for a clash with reigning Crucible king John Higgins after becoming the oldest winner of a match at the Betfred.com World Championship for 21 years.

Ronnie O’Sullivan will need to be on his best behaviour when he returns for the conclusion of his opening match this afternoon at the Betfred.com World Championship.

John Higgins offered a hint of weakness to his title rivals before eventually showing his world champion class to clinch an opening-day victory at the Crucible.

Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen recovered from 4-2 down to beat Stephen Hendry 5-4 in the quarter-finals of the China Open in Beijing today.