Action from Day 8 of the 2017 Betfred Snooker World Championship

It's the middle Saturday, nearly half-way in the tournament and two players are already through to the Quarter Finals at the Crucible, Sheffield with others looking to join them.

After their first session, Ding Junhui was 9-7 up against Liang Wenbo.  Ding broke at the start of the 17th frame.

 There was some early excitement over a re-spotted white following a foul.

Despite a Ding fightback, Liang won through 23-110 to make it 9-8 ni frames.

 On Table 2, Rory McLeod was taking on Stephen Maguire.

Action from day 1 of the 2017 Betfred World Snooker Championships

Day one of the 2017 championship seemed to rattle through so quickly - Mark Selby and Stephen Maguire emerged as 10-2 winners over Fergal O'Brien and Anthony McGill respectively and so Dennis Taylor came out around 8:30pm to entertain the crowds with some trick shots.

 Defending Champion Mark Selby walks out to start the matches on day 1.

 Fergal O'Brien in his match against Mark Selby.

 Mark Selby at the table.

 Stephen Maguire in his first round match against Anthony McGill

 Anthony McGill breaks off

 Mark Selby breaks off at the start of the evening session 8-1 ahead

 Referee Jan Verhaas checks the re-spotting of the white ball after a foul