Stevens to reach quarter finals as other leaders should also advance
Published:Four more Crucible quarter finalists will be known by the end of the day and it looks best to side with the players already ahead in their respective matches to continue their progress at the World Championships.
Judd Trump to beat Ali Carter by 3-4 frames @ 6/4
Having trailed in the opening session, Trump began to find his range with his long potting to establish a 9-7 advantage.
Carter headed into the tournament having reached just one quarter final in his previous 13 events, but has shown signs in Sheffield of recapturing some of his better form.
However, Trump can build on his comeback in the second session and 13-10 offers some appeal in the frame betting market at 4/1.
Matthew Stevens to beat Barry Hawkins @ 8/13
Hawkins may have beaten Mark Selby in the opening round, but this victory should be taken with a pinch of salt as the world number one was suffering from a neck injury.
He also led 6-3 against Stevens, but enabled the Welshman to restore parity to end the second session at 8-8.
A possible quarter final with compatriot Ryan Day will also spur Stevens on and he looks the more in-form player, having already registered three centuries in the match.
Ronnie O’Sullivan to beat Mark Williams 13-6 @ 2/1
Mark Williams must be commended for taking the match to a third session after winning the final two frames of session two, but it looks unlikely that he will make much of a further dent in his current 11-5 disadvantage.
O’Sullivan will want the match over sooner rather than later and can be expected to win two of the opening three frames of the day.
Andrew Higginson (+3.5 frames) to beat Jamie Jones @ 5/4
Higginson is currently 10-6 behind, but is the more experienced of the duo and arguably could have been level if not missing silly balls.
Although making up a four-frame deficit is a big ask, he can be expected to win the session to reduce his arrears.
