2015 World Championship (Day 10) - And then they were eight ...

This is it snooker lovers: we've reached the quarter-finals of this year's World Championship and things couldn't have been tastier for our hungry snooker loopy hearts and souls.

But enough about that and let us see what went on this Monday on the green baize from the famous Crucible theatre in Sheffield.

Neil Robertson booked his place into the quarters after a smashing victory obtained over "The Captain" Ali Carter (13-5).

Despite Carter's strong start from the previous round where he beat Alan McManus 10-5, this time one of the loveliest players on the tour didn't bring his A game, while Robbo did.

The Aussie ended the first session 6-2, the second 11-5, while the last redoubt was conquered with runs of 41 (on the black) and a glorious 145 to establish a final 13-5 scoreline.

Robertson's 145 is currently the highest break of the tournament overtaking his own 143 from a few days ago. Could this be Robbo's year? Well, I guess Barry Hawkins will have a saying in that too, for the lads will dispute their quarter-final match over the next days.

Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Matthew Stevens 13-5 and the story is very likely to the one presented above. Stevens had a very good opening match while facing Mark Williams whom he knelt down 10-2, but he didn't play the same against The Rocket.

With a first session ended in favour of O'Sullivan 5-3 and second one on 12-4, it was truly just a matter of time before this match was over.

Stevens managed to prolong the suspense with a solid 63 break, but Ronnie ended the story with a 77 to set a meeting with Stuart Bingham.

Asked by Rob Walker if he's as excited to be playing at the Crucible as he was back when he won his first world title, O'Sullivan answered in his own special and one-of-a-kind way: "Neaah, not really!".

Judd Trump had to face Marco Fu in his quest for a place in the next round and after leading 5-3 and 10-6, the 2011 World Championship runner-up closed with a 13-8 scoreline.

Fu put in quite the fight and it's fair to say he did put a little bit of pressure on Judd (although he might not admit it) their last session starting with a perfect 94 break signed by the Hong Kong cue-man.

Still, runs of 33 and 59 were taking Trump just one away from victory, Fu's last efforts of winning the 20^th frame proving futile in front of him and his 134 clearance that made the crowd explode! I haven't seen that kind of reaction since ... Ronnie was at the table making century breaks!

Now Trump will have to face another powerful and Asian opponent, Ding Junhui. This should be interesting, don't you think?

Shaun Murphy is also in the quarter-finals after beating Joe Perry 13-5. 

A considerable lead of 7-1 after the first session to which Shaun added a 12-4 advantage after the second one tell the story better than anything.

Perry did fight back and boy he did it in style! But sadly it all came a bit too late and despite him winning the opening frame of the last session, Murphy's 68 break cued in the following one was making the curtain fall over this match.

 
"The Magician" is meeting the "New Era Nugget" in the next round, Anthony McGill standing between him and a place in the semis.

The battles start tomorrow, so without any further ado here's the schedule:




10am
Anthony McGill v. Shaun Murphy
Ding Junhui v. Judd Trump

2.30pm
Barry Hawkins v. Neil Robertson
Stuart Bingham v. Ronnie O'Sullivan

7pm
Anthony McGill v. Shaun Murphy
Ding Junhui v. Judd Trump

* all hours are UK time