Players Championship snooker as it happened – Ronnie O’Sullivan suffers crushing whitewash defeat to Mark Selby

ByDesmond Kane

Updated 23/02/2024 at 07:27 GMT

Welcome back to live coverage from the Players Championship quarter-finals. Mark Allen takes on Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson in the afternoon session from 13:00 UK time, before Ronnie O'Sullivan faces Mark Selby in a mouth-watering clash from 19:00. Ali Carter is already through to the last four following his win over Judd Trump, ending the 2019 world champion's bid to top the rankings.

Wilson 'over the moon' with Welsh Open triumph, White tips him for deep run at Crucible

That's us done for tonight

Join us again tomorrow at 12.30pm GMT. Ta-ra.

Ronnie's winning streak ends at 16

Players Championship

Allen concedes to playing ‘progressively worse’ following ‘fortunate’ title success

26/02/2024 at 11:24

He's won four ranking tournaments this season including both triple-crown events, but as we look forward to the Crucible, he's still not hitting the heights, while around him, others are getting ready. It should be good!

Mark Selby beats Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-0!

A majestic performance from the Jester, who barely missed anything; hoe often do you see TMNTPETPUAC nilled? He meets John Higgins or Zhang Anda next, and if he carries on playing like that, the rest of the field had better look out.

O'Sullivan 0-5 Selby (58-44)

A blue follows, and it's colours off their spots for the match! It's not often you see the most naturally talented player ever to pick up a cue beaten like this, but then it's also not often you happen upon a person like Mark Selby.

O'Sullivan 0-5 Selby (58-38)

The final red, in the middle of black cush, is Ronnie's only hope of salvation. And Mark doesn't fancy it, instead playing to send it down the table ... and underhitting it. But look at the response! It sends a red nosing towards right corner ... and leaves a thin snick! Mark sends it down, gets position, and the whitewash is GO!

O'Sullivan 0-5 Selby (58-22)

What a dish this would be. But poking in with the rest, he misses his cannon on one railed red so lands on nothing; he nudges up to the green instead. But he's rash in how he does it, meaning Ronnie escapes and we're soon back playing safety. But not for long! Mark sinks a phenomenal long red that's on the side rail near right corner, a nice black keeps the run going, and now there's only one red on a rail!

O'Sullivan 0-5 Selby (58-5)

Ronnie hasn't played badsly tonight, he's just not had much table-time and his opponent has missed almost nothing. But what's this? Off the black, he runs out of position, then plays to baulk ... and somehow cannons the green, leaving the red on! Oh dearie me! So Mark comes to the table with three reds on rails; this isn't yet a chance to clinch frame and match, but the way he's playing, he might yet make it so.

O'Sullivan 0-5 Selby (18-0)

Howeber much Mark wants to nill Ronnie, Ronnie wants to be nilled by Mark less. I guess he might tank the frame to make like he's not bothered, but I'd be surprised. And as I type, he monsters in a fantastic starter then gets to work pottig balls.

O'Sullivan 0-5 Selby

This is absolutely fantastic stuff from Mark. People sometimes damn him as a grinder, but he can pot with the best of them, he's just the best safety artist we've ever seen. I love watchiing him play like this.

O'Sullivan 0-4 Selby (11-72)

He's barely missed a ball all night, and who knows what heights this performance will inspire Mark to.

O'Sullivan 0-4 Selby (11-53)

Mark's got his foot on Ronnie's throat and he's not going to lift it up. There's no sense whatsoever that he'll miss - he's addressing every ball with utmost seriousness, but flowing nicely through his shots. He's been on the cusp of his best for a while now, and perhaps this match swill take him over the edge.

O'Sullivan 0-4 Selby (11-27)

Ronnie strokes a luscious starter into right corner only to soon run out of position and play a loose safety ... but Mark gets a kick trying to pot. The players then trade mistakes before, left one to left corner, the Jester takes his time, slotting a beauty and getting to work. A decent contribution here, and he'll be very close to the last four.

O'Sullivan 0-4 Selby (0-18)

Another poor safety from Ronnie and Mark drops in a sitter then gets to work. He played almost perfect snooker before a break he could've done without, but he can't turn this situation into an opportunity, playing back to baulk when out of pottable balls.

We go again...

O'Sullivan 0-4 Selby

A run of 105 ends a marvellous mini-sesh from Mark Selby, and he departs for the interval two frames from victory. In the first instance, Ronnie will be trying to avoid the whitewash.

O'Sullivan 0-3 Selby (0-78)

Selbz doubles a red to make sure Ronnie won't return to the table, and there's a ton there for him; he'll want it.

O'Sullivan 0-3 Selby (29-62)

Ronnie hasn't played terribly - not like he did when Luca beat him at the Cruce - he's just made a few mistakes and not had much to go on.

O'Sullivan 0-3 Selby (29-40)

Mark sends a lovely blue spinning gently to the yellow and he's putting on a superb show tonight; this is the best I've seen him play in ages. He looks so confident, platying at a good speed and really timing the ball; the pack is broken.

O'Sullivan 0-3 Selby (29-18)

Ronnie runs out of position and Mark slots a starter into right corner. If he can take this frame too, it'll be very hard to see Ronnie coming back, and he picks at loose balls planning when to break the pack - a shot that might decide the frame.

O'Sullivan 0-3 Selby (21-0)

Now it's Ronnie creaming a starter down the throat of left corner and quickly getting about the black spot.

O'Sullivan 0-3 Selby

A 61, and 81 and now a 91; Mark needs one more frame for a mini-sesh whitewash.

O'Sullivan 0-2 Selby (13-73)

Mark's got the look in his eyes. Even when he's been losing matches, he's been playing well, he's just been missing unexpectedly, and against Ronnie, that loss of focus is unlikely. He's playing beautifully, and it's great to see.

O'Sullivan 0-2 Selby (13-40)

Trying to get reds into play, Ronnie gets stuck on one, so has to play safe. And have a look! En route back to baulk a few shots later, he catches a stray red on the side rail ... leaving everything. In comms, Angles thinks it's the frame, and who am I to argue?

O'Sullivan 0-2 Selby (1-31)

Mark really fancies this, but there's the unexpected error I mentioned earlier, a red [inging about the jaws of right corner, and Ronnie, who's not potted a ball in over half an hour, gets away.

O'Sullivan 0-2 Selby (0-8)

Goodness me! Mark smokes in a humdinger, diagonally into left corner, he knocks the black over the opposite bag, and he's in again!

O'Sullivan 0-2 Selby

Mark loves beating Ronnie so much and Ronnie hates losing to Mark so much. Both Mark and Ronnie know that the next two frames could decide the match.

O'Sullivan 0-1 Selby (0-69)

Ronnie knew he was leaving the world, and also that there's no chance Mark would let him off. The Jester, though, is taking this very impressively.

O'Sullivan 0-1 Selby (0-29)

Mark's eased into this match very nicely and the balls are there for a 2-0 lead. He's been missing some absolutely stinkers recently, so we can't assume anything, but under normal circumstances he finishes this frame at this visit.

O'Sullivan 0-1 Selby (0-6)

Coaxing to right-middle with another ball near the lip in case he needs it, Ronnie manages to miss both it and the pocket, handing Mark another nice opportunity. He really ought to make a commanding score here, and if he can, he'll be in a great position.

O'Sullivan 0-1 Selby

Believe, Ronnie will not want to lose to Mark, just as Mark will want particularly to beat Ronnie. This is warming up.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Selby (10-66)

Mark quickly tidies up. He ended his last match, against Basher Hawkins, very well, winning 6-3 from 3-2 down, and he looks in fair touch here.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Selby (10-36)

Now it's Ronnie missing when he shouldn't, a broon to the green, and when shortly afterwards, Mark flukes a starter then tucks in behind the yellow, he leaves a starter to right corner. The Jester will now go again at shutting down the frame.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Selby (6-29)

With the rest and on the stretch, Mark jawses a red he shouldn't, and Ronnie, who hasn't lost a match for 103 days having won 16 on the spin, sets about administering due punishment.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Selby (0-23)

What a reception, and immediately, Ronnie misses some thin contacts and the ref doesn't foul-miss him because she doesn't realise he can see one side of a red. She apologises and he goes again knowing if he doesn't hti he loses the frame. So he smashes into the pack, leaving a starter, and this is a good chance for Mark.

...and off they go!

Here they come...

Ronnie and Mark

Ronnie is winning everything in sight, playing alright; Mark is struggling to win, playing erratically.

Evening all

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Mark Selby, you say? Bring it on!

THAT'S US DONE FOR THE AFTERNOON

It wasn't a classic, but Allen has got the job done. Join us again shortly for Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Allen 6-4 Wilson

Wilson knocks in the final red and calls it a day. After nearly five hours since the match began - with over four hours of playing time - Allen takes the win. He'll play Ali Carter for a place in the final.

Allen 5-4 Wilson (69-1)

The run lasts to 69, as Allen stamps his authority on this tenth frame and surely, the match. Wilson is going to return to the table and have a go - he needs five snookers. He captures his first, getting the black, pink and blue in between the final red. But Allen sniffs it out.

Allen 5-4 Wilson (51-1)

Allen puts together a run of 51 and then seems to run out of room, with the cue ball almost touching his next target. He plays away from the pocket but brilliantly clips the red into the bottom left. The end is in sight for The Pistol.

Allen 5-4 Wilson (18-1)

Finally, Wilson draws first blood and the cue ball tucks up next to the brown, but there’s a nice angle to clip it into the top right pocket. He goes for it, but he misses. Allen finds a red, then a blue, then another red. He plays a poor positional shot but makes a good recovery to angle a red into the middle left. He might not be able to seal the match in this visit with the table as it is, but there’s a chance to put together a sizeable contribution.

Allen 5-4 Wilson (0-0)

We're still yet to see a pot in the tenth as we tick over the eight-minute mark. The pack is fairly open but there is not a whole lot to attack. Allen plays a brilliant safety shot and there is a knock of approval from Wilson. We could be in for another lengthy frame here...

Allen 5-4 Wilson

Wow! Wilson looks for the bottom left with a pink off the top cushion, but leaves it hanging over the target. Allen duly knocks it in and as he looks to take the frame, misses a nasty black, leaving it in the jaws for Wilson to sweep home and keep this match alive. We go again!

Allen 5-3 Wilson (52-53)

Great stuff from Mark, who sinks the brown and follows it up with a double on the blue to middle right. There is a point in it now, and surely Allen is favourite to wrap up the frame from here.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (43-53)

With the gap closed to six points, there are gasps from the audience as Allen misses a tricky brown along the top rail. But he doesn't leave it on for Wilson as the pair delicately knock the brown around the table, but who will crack first? Allen fouls, but amazingly the brown still isn’t on as Wilson plays another safety from the D to move it from the head rail.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (43-49)

With the gap closed to six points, there are gasps from the audiance as Allen misses a tricky brown along the top rail. But he doesn't leave it on for Wilson as more tactical play ensues.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (30-49)

This is clever from Allen, he knows Wilson has to take the big risks. But there’s an outrageous fluke from Wilson! He goes long to the bottom right and misses by a distance, but the ball comes back up the table, takes a nick off the blue and then the green before dropping into the top pocket. It doesn't help him, though, and Allen returns to the baize to knock in the shot of the match, a long red to bottom left. And that could be the game.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (22-41)

Allen knocks in a red and follows it up with a blue to left middle. The same combination follows, but the black remains rooted to the foot of the table. With three reds left, he’s going to have to free it sooner rather than later. Instead, he decides to play it safe and tuck it in behind another red.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (4-41)

It doesn't quite happen for Wilson, who finds himself tucked up behind the blue. His break ends at 36 which means he'll need to wrap up this frame in another visit if he is to stay in contention. He leaves the cue ball up the table and we could be in for another safety battle.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (4-29)

The majority of the reds are bunched at the foot of the table and the black is well protected with the pink off its spot and along the rail. A collection of safety shots are played by both players until Wilson finds an opening. There is a chance here to put together a worthy contribution.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (4-5)

Wilson smashes a shot down the yellow hole from distance, but he ends up planting a red into a top pocket after slotting a yellow at pace. Such bad luck for Wilson. Another bout of safety is the order of the day.

Allen 5-3 Wilson (0-4)

Wilson must put the disappointment of the missed red behind him. Still well in contention in the race to six. Not really got time to wonder why the red didn't drop. Would surely have been 4-4 if it did. Pink and black out of commission. So this frame is perhaps not going to slip quietly into the night.

Allen 4-3 Wilson (70-41)

Well, that could be a huge turning point. Gary on final red along top cushion, but the object ball doesn't drop and he has stuck up the red and colours surely for Allen to regain a two-frame lead. In goes the blue and pink he needs for a closing run to the line of 23. Could have been 4-4, but Allen is 5-3 clear. Is that missed red the pivotal moment in this match? Certainly feels like it.

Allen 4-3 Wilson (47-33)

Allen fails to hit a red escaping from a snooker, and sticks up a red to right centre for Gary, who drops that in with a sense of authority. Refuses the blue to green pocket as he lays up in baulk. And Allen catches the red too thick in leaving it over the left centre pocket. Chance for Wilson to counter.

Allen 4-3 Wilson (39-20)

But Wilson then misses a black using the rest to a top bag when he seemed all set to establish a lead. Looks utterly baffled by that miss. And no wonder. Had done the hard part. Allen jaws a tricky red seconds later. Misses just creeping into the contest that weren't apparent earlier.

Allen 4-3 Wilson (32-19)

A quarter-final of battle-hardened matchplay excellence between these two scrappers. Difficult to predict a winner at this point as Gazza floats in a terrific long red before getting an excellent kiss on yellow. Will take those little nudges all day long.

Allen 4-3 Wilson (32-16)

Power in this frame passes to Gary as he regains access to the table. Nudges open the pack of reds off black, and is looking to hit right back against Allen after recovering from 3-1 behind at the mid-session break. But another rest shot prompts the miss on a red, and that is very disappointing for Wilson. Nothing left though as Mark runs safe to baulk. This frame well and truly in the balance.

Allen 4-3 Wilson (32-0)

Well, would you believe it. Allen looked in business, but he misses a fourth pot of the day using the rest on a mid-range red. And that halts his advance for the moment.

Allen 4-3 Wilson (17-0)

Early error in this eighth frame by Wilson presents Allen with first go at these balls. Which is not what Gazza was looking for. Black is free this time. So obvious chance to build a lead.

Allen 3-3 Wilson (102-23)

In goes the red that Allen needs to finalise this frame. A solid frame just when he needed it to steady the ship. Two frames short of the winning line. What are the odds on a final-frame decider in this contest? Not much to split them.

Allen 3-3 Wilson (69-23)

So Gary playing on for three snookers. Plays a decent one to leave red next to black, but a solid escape from Mark with final red near black. Important for Allen to be mindful.

Allen 3-3 Wilson (69-0)

Allen has never been behind in this match, and looks like he is set to lead by the odd frame in seven as he adds another crucial 14 points. Quite a fascinating joust for supremacy. 59 on the table. Wilson needs three snookers.

Allen 3-3 Wilson (55-0)

This has been a very fine effort from Mark to reach 49, but is forced to declare holding a 55-0 advantage. Six reds left up, but that looks to be a formidable lead with black out of commission.

Allen 3-3 Wilson (38-0)

Allen attempting to produce a strong scoring surge at the outset of the seventh frame. But difficult to establish a winning lead here with black near top cushion surrounded by reds. Just working off blues, pinks and baulk colours at moment.

Allen 3-3 Wilson (6-0)

Wilson certainly fancies the job with Allen finding him difficult to shake off. Could easily have been 5-1 ahead in this quarter-final, but Gary has refused to buckle.

Allen 3-3 Wilson (1-0)

Wilson clearly with the momentum in this contest since the interval. Allen begins the seventh frame by carting home a long red at pace.

Allen 3-2 Wilson (59-76)

Well, Allen in with 59 to start the frame, but Wilson ends it with a clearance of 76 and this match is level again at 3-3. The Welsh Open champion showing why he is a man in top form. Suddenly the best-of-11 frames becomes the best of five.

Allen 3-2 Wilson (59-45)

Quickly up to 36 by Wilson before he rolls in tough red down the side rail. Drops in the black and lands on final red to green pocket. Every chance of the steal now for Wilson.

Allen 3-2 Wilson (59-7)

Much, much more like it from Allen at this visit. Taking out these balls with real style, and not far from establishing a 4-2 lead here. But a 54 break ends when he sees a red to right middle stay out. Was never on line. Chance for Wilson to launch the counter attack.

Allen 3-2 Wilson (16-0)

Allen trying to settle himself down after a brief period of turbulence in the scrappy fifth frame. Consistency the key as he looks to find a telling contribution.

Allen 3-2 Wilson (1-1)

Well, a re-rack coming in the sixth frame as players starting to nudge white against the pack of reds without any ambition to progress the frame. Players agree and on we go.

Allen 3-2 Wilson (1-1)

A thin safety attempt by Allen leaves Wilson with hand on table. In goes opening red, but he misses brown to right centre. Good chance squandered. Both players going off the boil here. Tension mounting too perhaps.

Allen 3-2 Wilson (0-0)

Allen breaks off for the sixth frame of a possible 11. 39-minute fifth frame thrown into the mixer to add to the intrigue.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (53-74)

Well, that was a long old frame, but a blunder by Allen on the final red leaves the object ball to right centre. In goes the red and the colours from Wilson as he puts away the frame with ease to close to within one frame of the Northern Irishman. Right back in the hunt. Long frames are okay as long you don't lose them. Which Allen has.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (46-50)

Suddenly another snooker by Allen brings up another four points as gap is reduced to three points with two reds left up, but a poor safety shot gives Wilson chance to drop in the penultimate red. No position on a colour as Allen then escapes from the snooker at pace. 35 minutes of play in this frame. The longest of the match and the tournament.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (42-49)

Some fine tactical shots played by Allen as he earns foul points from his opponent to reduce the gap to only seven points with two reds left up. Half-chance for Allen to left middle, but he hits it thin and doesn't leave the red.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (30-49)

Brilliant red from distance and black off side cushion presents Allen with a fighting chance to regain ground in this fifth frame. But can't free red from top cushion off pink. So just the safety to follow.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (15-41)

Another eight added by Allen as he pockets another final red down the length of the table. But Wilson still holding a handy lead of 26 points with six reds left up.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (7-41)

Real chance for Wilson to enjoy a one-visit hit, but he overhits a screw shot on a red to left middle and white nestles in behind black. Just the safety to follow. Frustration for the Tyneside player.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (7-8)

Allen has been picking out shots to centre bags with some relish today. In goes another fine pot before he runs in behind the brown. Allen left another pot on a red to left middle, but this time the red hits the near jaw. Relief for Gary, who slots a brilliant red to the yellow pocket.

Allen 3-1 Wilson (0-0)

Wilson breaks off in the fifth frame of this second quarter-final. This time Allen opts not to attack a long red as he settles for the containing safety.

Allen 2-1 Wilson (75-40)

Forces Allen to go up and down table after rolling up behind brown. So that is two snookers in his bid to stay alive in the frame. But he messes up a safety shot, and says that is enough with Allen left an easy yellow. It is finally 3-1 to Allen at the break.

Allen 2-1 Wilson (75-36)

Onto the colours then as Gary sinks red and black. 39 the difference with 27 left up. Three snookers looks forlorn, but stranger things have happened.

Allen 2-1 Wilson (75-28)

Allen misses the final red off top cushion to hand one of the snookers back. A lead of 47 points with 35 left up.

Allen 2-1 Wilson (75-24)

Red eludes him on 75, but surely this frame is a done deal. Wilson returns to table with only 59 left on table. Big ask here.

Allen 2-1 Wilson (56-0)

Looks like a completely different player from the bloke who lost 5-2 to John Higgins in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open last week. Well engaged in and around the table as a tricky red to left middle is negotiated superbly well. In goes a plant on reds to splash open the cluster, and this is developing into a very sound chance for a 3-1 lead.

Allen 2-1 Wilson (22-0)

This match is racing along at a very fluent pace. Little or no messing about from either man. This time it is Allen who is first to the punch at the business end of the baize after Wilson tries and fails to sink a red from distance. Question is: what is it going to cost Gazza this time?

Allen 2-0 Wilson (42-74)

Brilliant stuff from Wilson as he fires in a long red before burying the final two reds with ease. Clears to the pink with 45, and the Welsh and Scottish Open holder is on the scoreboard at 2-1 behind. One more frame before the mid-session interval.

Allen 2-0 Wilson (42-29)

Not many obstacles between Allen and the winning line in the frame, but he misses a black at pace trying to engineer an angle. Misses coming from both men.

Allen 2-0 Wilson (36-23)

Only 22 this time from Allen as a positional shot goes wrong when he looked set to crack on. Relief perhaps for Wilson. But he leaves Allen a red to right centre, and in it goes. Another chance for the Antrim player. Error by Gary, and he will know it.

Allen 2-0 Wilson (16-23)

Once again, the start of this third frame takes on a familiar look as Allen attempts a long red which sticks in the jaws. Over to Gazza again for the first chance. What is he going to come up with at this visit? Well, only 23 as he sees the black fly off the table in trying to drive into the pack of reds. Allen sinks a delightful red down the table to yellow bag. And the former UK and Masters champion can compile a few points.

Allen 1-0 Wilson (68-38)

Twice Gary has been in first in these first two frames, and twice it has cost him the frame. A lovely 63 break to the pink from the Northern Irishman, who moves 2-0 to the good. Excellent stuff, really is. Vital that Wilson doesn't lose much more ground as Mark looks right in the mood in Telford.

Allen 1-0 Wilson (46-38)

This is exceptional from Mark as he gets perfect angle on pink to spring two reds off the side cush. Every chance now of a 2-0 lead in this quarter-final. Gary missing a trick in the second frame, and looks like it may cost him dearly.

Allen 1-0 Wilson (5-38)

And Gazza can't get the white safe as he misses red. Chance then for Allen to mount a counter attack in this second frame of a possible 11.

Allen 1-0 Wilson (1-38)

Gary on the move with some serious intent. Would dearly love to get this frame won in one hit to restore parity at 1-1. Shot choice is key here as a red just wobbles into a top bag. But he seems to be chasing ideal position on 38 as a long attempt on a red comes up short. That is a disappointing end to the break. Allen then flukes a red to left centre before rolling up behind yellow to cash in the fluke.

Allen 1-0 Wilson (0-13)

Allen tries to pot himself out of a spot of trouble, but butchers the attempt and Gary rolls in red across table to gain access to the green baize. Very fine opening red. Decent chance to pile on a few points at this visit.

Allen 1-0 Wilson (0-0)

Allen is 4-1 clear on the career head-to-heads between this duo. Another aggressive shot choice by 'The Pistol' as he goes for a long red. Doesn't drop, but this time doesn't leave an easy starter for Gazza.

Allen 0-0 Wilson (84-1)

A red with the rest eludes the world No. 3, but a fine 84 gets the job done for a 1-0 lead.

Allen 0-0 Wilson (65-1)

Looks like Gary is going to be punished for missing the black off the spot. Went back to his seat to settle in for an Allen frame-winning break. A very nice way to start the day for the Antrim professional. Can he celebrate his 38th birthday with a century?

Allen 0-0 Wilson (49-1)

Allen is right on point early on as he clips a lovely recovery red into a right centre to continue break before opening up some more reds via black. Isn't greatest split, but a gap appears in the cluster and in goes the next red. Going along very nicely here.

Allen 0-0 Wilson (16-1)

Bit of a delay in proceedings after Gary spots a shadow at top end of table. Mark goes for a long red, but nothing doing. Wilson then misses a black off spot after dropping in a red. Real let-off for Allen, who returns to the table a lot quicker than he expected.

Allen with a rare 146 against Williams

Mark Allen produced a stunning display to beat Mark Williams 6-3 and book his place in the quarter-finals of the Players Championship.

The Northern Irish star is eyeing his second ranking title of the season in this year’s event at the Telford International Centre, and gave Williams little hope after an electric start that saw him pick up three centuries in the first three frames. Read more here

Carter 'very close to best' after ending Trump's record title bid

Judd Trump's bid for a record third title win at the Players Championship and hopes of toppling Ronnie O'Sullivan as world No. 1 were buried by a 6-4 defeat to Ali Carter in the quarter-finals in Telford on Wednesday night. Despite hitting a century and four breaks over 50, it was evergreen world No. 8 Carter who booked his spot in the semi-finals with a trademark display of matchplay excellence. Read more here

Welcome back to the Players

Could be quite the day today with world No. 3 Mark Allen facing Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson at 1pm before old rivals Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby do battle from 7pm. First men to six frames book a place in the semi-finals. The winner of Allen v Wilson faces Ali Carter on Friday night after the two-time world finalist completed a 6-4 victory over top seed Judd Trump last night. John Higgins or Zhang Anda will meet O'Sullivan or Selby in the other semi-final on Saturday night. Wilson produced the 199th 147 break of the modern era of professonalism in his 6-4 win over Higgins in Llandudno on Saturday evening. It was all captured live by the Eurosport cameras.