Zhao Xintong holds off Ding Junhui in tense battle to reach Crucible quarters

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.

“Today I think there was more pressure,” Zhao told BBC Sport. “I know Ding didn’t play very well in the last session, but the pressure is very big. This year I just don’t want to lose any match, so it feels very different.”

Mark Selby is level with Yu Wize after an entertaining first session. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Mark Selby started off with two centuries but was forced to fight back from behind to ensure the opening session of his second-round match against No 10 seed Wu Yize ended all-square at 4-4.

Four-time world champion Selby threatened to overwhelm his 22-year-old opponent with breaks of 124 and 129 in the first two frames, but Wu summoned a brilliant response by reeling off the next three in a row in a high-quality session.

The duo split the next two before Wu’s early sniff at a 147 was ended by a bad kick on a red. Selby reeled in a 44-point deficit to ensure they will return for the second session on Sunday evening level at 4-4.

On Sunday afternoon, Neil Robertson and Chris Wakelin resume all-square at 4-4, with Judd Trump’s match against qualifier Hossein Vafaei poised at the same score. Ronnie O’Sullivan takes a 6-2 lead into his evening session against John Higgins.