All eyes focus on Rocket in Crucible's last eight

All eyes will again be on Ronnie O’Sullivan when the quarter-finals of the Embassy World Championship get underway at the Crucible Theatre today.

The Rocket has threatened not to curb his erratic and obscene behaviour despite a warning of disciplinary action from snooker boss Rodney Walker.

“You don’t know how you will react under pressure,” says Stephen Hendry, delighted to still be in the tournament after one of his toughest Crucible battles against Barry Pinches.

“I’ve said a few fruity things under my breath in the past. But I suppose we have all got to watch what we are doing when millions of people are watching.

“But whatever Ronnie does it’s nothing to do with me. You can only look after your own behaviour.

“However, it’s amazing to think I’m the oldest one left in at 35.”

Hendry, who was once told to return to “his sad, little life” by O’Sullivan, lines up in his 15th successive Sheffield quarter-final against Ian McCulloch.

He only just made it, edging out Norwich giantkiller Pinches 13-12 from 11-9 down.

“I’ve only made one century in my first two matches and for me that’s incredible,” says the seven-times world champion.

“But I’ve had to battle and win frames normally I don’t like playing.”

McCulloch is appearing at this stage of the world championship for the first time. So too are Joe Perry, who plays Matthew Stevens, plus David Gray and Graeme Dott, lining up against each other.

O’Sullivan, 7/4 favourite for the top first prize on May 3, meets Anthony Hamilton, a 25-1 outsider of the eight. They’ve met on six occasions and Hamilton has won just once.

McCulloch has never beaten Hendry but said after an impressive 13-6 victory over world number 10 Alan McManus: “It’s all about what happens on the day, not how many times you have lost.”

The defeats of world number four John Higgins and fellow Scot McManus yesterday means only two of the world’s top eight are through to their allotted place in the draw.

“I don’t think the sponsors will be pleased that the likes of Paul Hunter, Mark Williams, Ken Doherty and myself have gone out,” said Higgins following his 13-10 defeat by Dott.

“But they’ve still got the big names in there with Hendry and O’Sullivan. But Graeme and David Gray will be thinking they’ve got every chance in the top half.

“So, it’s a big match for both of them with a first Crucible semi-final at stake.”

World number 16 Perry returns to the table after his superb victory over defending champion Mark Williams while Stevens comes back following his 13-12 nail biter with best pal Hunter.

Perry won’t be overawed at facing Welshman Stevens. He won all three of their meetings in 2001, with the current record standing at 6-4 in Stevens’ favour.

The duo play 16 frames over two sessions today, as do O’Sullivan and Hamilton. The remaining four players complete eight frames this afternoon.

Hendry and Stevens are 5-2 second favourites with Perry at 16-1 and Dott 20-1.