2016 World Championship (Day 10) - O'Sullivan & Trump leave Crucible stage

Yesterday marked the exit of two of this year's world title favourites, both Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan leaving the Crucible stage after being defeated by Ding Junhui and Barry Hawkins respectively.

Also out and about, Mark Allen got beaten by qualifier Kyren Wilson the only non-surprise being John Higgins' victory who moved into the quarter-finals after a comfortable win obtained in front of Ricky Walden.

The five-time world champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan lost the chance to capture his 6th world title after losing 13-12 in front of Barry Hawkins.

These two had a pretty intense encounter back in 2013 here at the Crucible, in the Grand Final. Then, O'Sullivan was crowned champion. Now, Barry just wrote a very important piece of history defeating "The Rocket" for the first time in 14 years.

"The Hawk" seemed in control for most of the match, ending the first session at 5-3 up and the second one at 9-7.

The last session started with an ice-breaker of 93 points cued by O'Sullivan, but his opponent was sure to restore the two-frame gap by winning the next frame.

O'Sullivan fought back with a 70 break to get closer once more, but this time Hawkins' reply was ruthless: runs of 54 and 94 were taking him at 12-9 up.

One step away from victory, but Ronnie isn't one of the most gifted snooker players in the world for nothing, so he did what it was expected of him: he made a full comeback and forced a decider (breaks of 124, 88 and 63).

Hawkins was the first one in and despite the fact that he lost position down on 56, the snooker Gods protected him and gave him a chance to add 10 more point after his opponent went in-off after potting a red, in order to get his well-deserved victory.


Ding Junhui met Judd Trump in his quest for a place in the quarter-finals, "The Chinese Sensation" making known his intentions of winning this thriller battle right from the beginning.

Ding ended the first session at 6-2 up and the second one at 10-6, but when the last one started Trump took the 17th frame with a break of 65 to reduce the deficit.

Still, it didn't seem to make any difference, for Ding used top breaks of 72 and 91 to cash the following two frames and go just one away from victory, at 12-7.

Just before the interval, Trump fought back and earn the right for playing at least one more frame, thanks to a break of 61, to which he added runs of 56 and 88 after the 15-minute break to trail, 12-10.

But his comeback intention came a bit too late, as Ding wrapped things up to win 13-10 and get his quarter-finals place.


Mark Allen joined "the victims' lounge" after losing 13-9 to 2015 Shanghai Masters champion, Kyren Wilson.

Wilson made a tremendous start to lead his opponent 7-1 and started the last session by being 11-5 up, but Allen fought back in grand style by taking the first four frames with runs of 83, 103 and 64.

The 21st frame was a bit of a scrappy affair, but it was finally grabbed by Kyren who quickly added a top break of 71 to close the deal at 13-9.

John Higgins landed safely in the quarter-finals after beating Ricky Walden 13-8.

The Scotsman started the last session by holding a 10-6 advantage over Walden, and took the opening frame with a break of 59 to move 11-6 in front.

Walden battled back with top breaks of 62 and 84 to pull back two consecutive frames, but Higgins was the strongest of them two and replied with breaks if 92 and 99 to get across the finish-line.

Day 11 of the World Championship match schedule:

10am
Ding Junhui v Mark Williams
Kyren Wilson v Mark Selby

2.30pm
Alan McManus v John Higgins
Marco Fu v Barry Hawkins

7pm
Ding Junhui v Mark Williams
Kyren Wilson v Mark Selby

Photo credit (1,2 & 5): World Snooker