Hallett's semi-final pick

Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins are the all-star attraction in the last eight, with three world titles between them. The score stood at 4-4 before the Wednesday's play, but O'Sullivan suffered a poor morning and is now losing 11-5 in the best-of-25 match.

"These two were the favourites in my opinion," he commented. "Ronnie could have been up for winning his third world title, but John is going for his second and looks determined.

"After yesterday I fancied John to come through this one. He has found some form here in Sheffield and he's been very consistent all season.

"[But] as usual, it depends on what mood Ronnie is in."

In this afternoon's session Stephen Maguire faces Anthony Hamilton, with the score standing at 9-7.

"Stephen had chances to go ahead 10-6, but Anthony managed to take the last frame," he continued. "It would have been an uphill struggle from there for Anthony. Stephen played well in the session, but he just took his foot off the gas a little bit at the end.

"I'm sure he'll be looking to be strong early on in the session and I would expect him to come through.

"He came to Sheffield out of form and has just found it here at the right time. Stephen Maguire is looking a lot stronger and it could be an all-Scottish semi-final."

In the other afternoon session, Mark Selby and Ali Carter - the most unfancied of the players - compete for the right to go head to head with Shaun Murphy, who put on a miraculous comeback this morning to win 13-12 against Matthew Stevens.

"Mark Selby and Ali Carter have got there on their own merit," he said. "They're both playing well. Mark is the find of the tournament for me. He had five centuries against Peter Ebdon in his match in the last 16.

"He's looked very confident here against Ali: he could be the surprise package. I would expect that Mark will come through in this one. No one really fancied him to get through to the semi-finals."

As for the overall winner this year, Mike's head is telling him something a little different from his heart.

"I would like to see Matthew Stevens win it, but I think John Higgins will do so," he concluded.

"Either way, the qualifying line-up is fantastic - anyone can win this."