Stephen Maguire and Stephen Hendry have filled two of the eight quarter final spots at the 2008 World Snooker Championship. However, former World Champions John Higgins and Graeme Dott have both crashed out.
Stephen Hendry turned back the clock to make his way into his 17th World Snooker Championship Quarter Final. After coming through his 1st round match 10-9 against Northern Irishman Mark Allan which has been dubbed “the best match of the tournament so far”, Hendry then went on to demolish China’s Ding Junhui 13-7. The 39-year-old, who is bidding for a record 8th World Title, is now 3rd favourite to win the tournament and will face Welshman Ryan Day in the quarter finals.
The form man of the tournament is Stephen Maguire. After two routine wins against Englishman Anthony Hamilton (10-3) and Austrailian Neil Robertson (13-7), the 27-year-old will face Joe Perry in the quarter finals. Maguire form has been impressive enough to joint favourite with Ronnie O’Sullivan to win the tournament.
Defending champion and World Number 1 John Higgins went out to Welshman Ryan Day in the second round, going down 13-9. Higgins had defeated another Welshman – Matthew Stevens 10-5 in the first round, but was subject to the shock of the tournament so far. His victor Ryan Day will hope to repeat his victory against Stephen Hendry in the quarter finals.
Graeme Dott, who decided at the last minute to compete in the World Championship was knocked out in the first round. The 2006 World Champion is suffering from depression but decided to participate despite experts’ advice not to. However, there was some hope for the future in Dott’s performance despite losing 10-7 to Englishman Joe Perry.
Lion Rampant Sports 