Ebdon first into last eight
Peter Ebdon, the 2002 champion, came to Sheffield not having reached a semi-final all season but went from 3-2 down to 6-3 up against Mark King and maintained at least a two-frame gap until he prevailed 13-9 to become the first to clinch his place in the last eight, in the world championship at the Crucible Theatre.
Stephen Hendry continued to underline his credentials for an eighth world title by establishing an 11-5 overnight lead over Ding Junhui as the 21-year-old Chinese made his last attempt to supersede him as the youngest world champion.
Making the perfect start with 124, Hendry led 6-1 and pressed on to 11-4. Ding cleared with 94 to take the last frame of the day but he must win eight of today's nine frames to snatch an unlikely win.