A review of the action on day eight of the Betfred World Championship as Stephen Maguire won a final-frame decider to beat James Cahill.
Maguire survives Cahill scare
Stephen Maguire was taken the distance by James Cahill in a gripping Crucible encounter.
Cahill, the amateur who made headlines by beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round, clawed his way back to 12-12 having trailed 9-7 entering Saturday's final session, but Maguire held firm to win 13-12.
There was real drama towards the end of the match as Cahill was adjudged to have fouled when his waistcoat brushed the pink as he looked set to move within one of victory.
Maguire made him pay to lead 12-11 but the youngster was not done with, finally winning a 24th frame in which both players missed chances as the pressure increased.
A safety battle at the start of the decider ultimately went the way of Maguire, and while he had to be patient the Scot produced a brilliant pot down the cushion to at last end Cahill's dream run.
"I was gone out there - my cue action just went to bits, I didn't believe I could pot a ball," confessed a relieved Maguire.
"Somehow, I've mustered up a decent last frame. I'm shattered. I'm absolutely shattered."
Cahill felt slightly hard done by as his luck ran out over the final few frames of an absorbing encounter.
"To be honest, I was just thinking maybe it's not meant to be - that's at the stage where you need the luck.
"It's swings and roundabouts. I was in a bit of a flow, but then the interval came and sort of took it away from me.
"It's hard to keep that flow going, but if you can then it is possible to reel off a few frames with the momentum. It was a good game and I wish him all the best."
Wilson causes upset
Former taxi driver Gary Wilson produced arguably the performance of his career to beat three-time winner Mark Selby and reach the quarter-finals of the Betfred World Championship.
Breaks of 97, 115 and 78 gave Wilson a 9-7 lead to take into Saturday morning, but Selby started with a break of 81 to get back within one, and then levelled after edging a desperately tight 18th frame.
When Selby again responded to level at 10-10 with a break of 66, two things appeared clear: that he was not at his best, but that he would likely put experience to use and win a tight match, as he did in the previous round and as he has so many times before.
But Wilson had other ideas, first rolling in a break of 86, then moving within one of the last eight before a cool 92 earned him a meeting with either Ali Carter or Zhou Yuelong.
Wilson, who admitted in the above video that he's nearly quite the game 'several times', is now 25/1 for Crucible glory having been 250/1 at the start.
Gilbert finishes the job
David Gilbert claimed the scalp of defending champion Mark Williams in a convincing 13-9 victory.
Williams was able to continue his title defence despite a health scare on Friday, and he kept in touch to leave the match delicately poised entering the final session.
When the Welshman won the first frame on Saturday night to get back within one at 9-8, everything was in place for a Crucible classic - but Gilbert had other ideas.
A brilliant 139 break saw the 16th seed extend into a 12-8 lead and while Williams at last found his range, it was to prove too late as Gilbert ended his reign.
"I'm delighted to beat the world champion, I played really well," he told Eurosport.
The 37-year-old from Derby had never gone beyond the second round in Sheffield but can now look forward to a maiden quarter-final appearance against either Barry Hawkins or Kyren Wilson.
"He was the best player," Williams admitted.
"I played how I feel, absolutely terrible. I tried my best but I was 5-3 down and knew from then I wouldn't win. I tried my best and won nine frames."
Higgins hangs tough
John Higgins signed off with a century to level the score at 4-4 in his clash with Stuart Bingham.
After winning the first frame, Higgins lost four tight ones in succession as the 2015 champion moved into a clear lead.
However, the Wizard of Wishaw clawed his way back within one before a magnificent 132 clearance ensured the session ended all-square.
Ding keeps in touch
Ding Junhui trails Judd Trump 5-3, but perhaps left the Crucible Theatre with more of a spring in his step having salvaged something from a difficult session.
With neither player at their fluent best, it was Trump who put a season's worth of quality table time to use as he professionally strode into a 5-1 lead and threatened to pull clear.
But Ding took the seventh and eighth frames, both with some help, to keep things interesting heading into Sunday.
Saturday's World Championship scores
- Mark Selby 10-13 Gary Wilson
- Stuart Bingham 4-4 John Higgins
- Stephen Maguire 13-12 James Cahill
- Mark Williams 8-13 David Gilbert
- Judd Trump 5-3 Ding Junhui
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