Defending champion faces Shaun Murphy after 13-9 win
Mark Selby and Yu Wize level at 4-4 after first session
Zhao Xintong moved closer to cracking the so-called “Crucible Curse” as he booked his quarter-final place at the World Snooker Championship, wrapping up a hard-fought 13-9 win over compatriot Ding Junhui.
The defending champion shrugged off some evident nerves to build on a 9-7 overnight advantage despite losing an error-strewn, 46-minute opener that saw Ding temporarily reduce the arrears to a single frame.
The 29-year-old – who is looking to become the only first-time winner to retain his title at the Crucible – capitalised on a series of misses by his opponent to pull away. Zhao produced a break of 108 in the penultimate frame as he set up a last-eight clash with Shaun Murphy.
