Ding Junhui reaches last eight at snooker worlds, O'Sullivan crashes out

Judd Trump, right, of England in action as China's Ding Junhui, left, stands by during the second round of match at the world snooker championship in Shefield, England, April 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

SHEFFIELD, England - China's Ding Junhui beat fifth seed Judd Trump 13-10 to reach the quarterfinals of the world championship on Monday while five times titlist Ronnie O'Sullivan was edged out 13-12 by Barry Hawkins.

Trump fought back from 12-7 down to 12-10, but former world number one Ding clinched victory in the 23rd frame to reach the last eight at the Crucible for the second consecutive year.

Ding, who has dropped to 17th in the rankings, breezed through three qualifying rounds losing just seven frames, before he beat Martin Gould and now Trump.

The Chinese star, whose best result at the snooker worlds was a semifinal spot in 2011, faces Mark Williams over 25 frames on Tuesday and Wednesday.

China's Ding Junhui plays against Judd Trump of England during the second round of match at the world snooker championship in Shefield, England, April 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

"It got harder at the end and Judd played some very good shots," said Ding, winner of 11 ranking titles. "It didn't matter how well I played, I just had to win the frames.

"I think it helped to play in the qualifiers because my form came back a bit and it helped me get ready for the Crucible. If I can play 80 percent or 90 percent that is all I need. I can't play 100 percent, that's impossible.

"Mark Williams has had some rest for tomorrow, I've just got to keep going. I just play my snooker, it doesn't matter who I play. If you get chances to win frames you have to take them, it's simple. I am looking forward to tomorrow," he said.

In the best match of this year's championship so far, Hawkins fended off a late rally from O'Sullivan, taking a tense deciding frame after being hauled back from 12-9 to 12-12.

World number 11 Hawkins had not beaten O'Sullivan for 14 years, losing their last nine meetings including the 2013 world final and this season's Masters final. The 36-year-old Hawkins, the only player to reach the semifinals in each of the last three years, takes on Marco Fu in the last eight.

O'Sullivan said: "Barry deserved his victory, he's a top class player, but obviously I'm disappointed to have not won.

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