Ding Junhui knocks Ronnie O'Sullivan out of World Championship

Trailing 10-6 overnight O'Sullivan started the session in fine form, winning three of the opening four frames.

This included a sensational break of 146, the third ever at the Crucible, which could have been a 147 were it not for a mistake (which some have questioned as deliberate) that forced him to take one pink.

It still gives him the highest break of the tournament so far, beating Mark Selby's 143 from earlier in the day, but he will not be able to fight for a sixth title until next year.

The Rocket came out with renewed purpose and looked a completely different player to the previous day as he showed exceptional cue control.

Even whilst O'Sullivan was racking up the points Ding didn't look fazed and when he came to the table he took his chances, notching breaks of 69 and 87 to move to within one of victory.

A rare mistake in the 22nd frame gave O'Sullivan the opportunity to pull one back, which he took with a fantastic clearance.

In the next frame a couple of slack shots from O'Sullivan opened the door for Ding and at the second attempt he held his nerve and secured the win.

It was an emotional moment for Ding, who has openly spoken about how O'Sullivan is his hero, and it was the first time he has beaten him at a ranking event in 11 years.

O'Sullivan reacted with real class, embracing Ding after the final black and giving his earnest congratulations to his opponent.

He will face defending champion Selby in the semi-finals for a place in the final.

The day before Ding looked flawless and in total control, building a lead that proved to be decisive with some impressive potting.

By contrast O'Sullivan was hopelessly out of sorts, missing basic pots and failing to really build any sort of momentum.

It was this poor form from the former champion, along with some excellent play from Ding, that really cost him as his fine play on Wednesday wasn't enough for him to make up the gap against an opponent who was playing so well.