World Snooker Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan leads Ryan Day in last 16 – BBC
Ronnie O'Sullivan is the oldest player to become world champion, winning it at the age of 46 in 2022
Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan opened a 5-3 lead as he made a strong start to his World Snooker Championship last-16 match against Wales' Ryan Day.
The 48-year-old Englishman is on course for an eighth Crucible title, which would move him clear of Stephen Hendry's mark of seven successes.
O'Sullivan, who thrashed Welsh qualifier Jackson Page 10-1 in the first round, made breaks of 123 and 84 in the opening two frames against Day, but the world number 18 rallied to take the next two.
Breaks of 83 and 51 helped O'Sullivan go 4-2 in front before Day responded with a 115, but O'Sullivan restored his two-frame advantage with a 92 in the last frame of the session.
Day, 44, is aiming to reach the quarter-finals for a fourth time, having lost in that round in 2008, 2009 and 2012.
He has played O'Sullivan here before – squandering a 9-7 lead to lose 13-10 in their last-16 tie in 2006.
"This place gives you lots of great memories and lots of scars," said Day on Wednesday. "That was certainly one of the scars. It's not physical on your skin, but it is lodged away somewhere deep in your mind."
Their match is the best of 25 frames, so first to 13, and will resume at 19:00 BST on Sunday before being completed on Monday from 14:30.
Stephen Maguire is into the last eight of the World Championship for an eighth time
Scotland's Stephen Maguire moved into the quarter-final thanks to a 13-9 victory over 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy.
A fired-up Maguire had built a 10-6 lead on Saturday.
Murphy had earlier edged two frames on the black and responded with a fist pump, before Maguire did likewise, punching the table and then the air as he moved into a strong advantage going into the third session.
The pair have been rivals since they were children, with Maguire the leading Scottish youth player and Murphy the top English young player.
They made headlines in a so-called 'Chalkgate' incident at the 2004 Grand Prix when Maguire forgot his chalk, the first-round tie was delayed and he was docked a frame.
Maguire blamed Murphy, who had spoken to the referee, for being docked a frame, although the Englishman has always insisted he was not to blame.
Breaks of 68 and 73 from Maguire helped him win two of the opening three frames on Sunday to move one away from victory.
Murphy, the eighth seed, took the next two, but Maguire made a superb break of 127 to seal victory.
It means 11 of the 16 seeds have been eliminated in the opening two rounds.
Trump rejects offer to join breakaway snooker tour
I can win world title in my 50s, says O'Sullivan
Premier League: Gvardiol heads Man City in front at Forest
Arsenal survive Spurs rally to go four points clear
James scores 30 to keep Lakers play-off hopes alive
Will they manage to track down the Soviet mole?
Film adaptation of John le Carré's Cold War novel with a stellar cast
Thirty years of Nirvana's Nevermind
The album that changed the musical landscape and influenced a generation of British youth
Will Mandy's latest adventures end in disaster?
Comedy created by and starring Diane Morgan about the hapless, jobless Mandy Carter
The race to restore the treasure of Gothic architecture
Lucy Worsley gives us exclusive access to the restoration of Notre-Dame
England beat France to win third Grand Slam
'Disgusted' Milkins throws cue after missed red. Video
Bairstow century leads Punjab to record T20 run-chase
'No need to change Europe Ryder Cup eligibility for LIV players'
Odegaard – Arsenal's quiet 'captain marvel'
Lionesses Toone and Russo have got some big news. Video
Newey to leave Red Bull over Horner allegations
'If pressure is a privilege, England are about to feel very lucky'
'Inter close to perfect Serie A title success'
Booing your own anthem – Hong Kong and a dilemma
Micah's not-so-solo goal makes top 10. Video
Join the BBC Sport WhatsApp channels
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
