Players Championship Day 3

Image: Monique Limbos

Yu Delu caused the biggest shock of the Players Championship so far as he defeated World Champion and tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan in a high quality encounter on Thursday evening. The Chinese won the opener on the final black and despite losing the second, hit a 102 break to snatch the third. Breaks of 57 and 140 helped O’Sullivan to a 3-2 lead but Yu won the sixth to force a decider. A 57 break put the world number 448 in good stead and when O’Sullivan missed a red to middle, he was able to clear up to secure the best win in his career.

Next up for Yu is Barry Hawkins who sneaked past Ryan Day in a close encounter, which saw the pair never separated by more than one frame. The Hawk eventually sealed victory on the colours in the final frame.

Judd Trump’s hopes of a first title this season remain alive as he whitewashed recent World Open winner Shaun Murphy, in a game which turned out to be a little less competitive than was predicted. The Romford-based man hit runs of 58, 53, 65 and 73 the secure the win.

He plays Joe Perry in the quarters on Friday after the Cambridge man beat Dave Gilbert 4-1 with top runs of 98, 128, 53 and 61.

John Higgins is also through to the final eight with a top break of 56 helping him to a 4-2 win over Ben Woollaston. The Scot now faces Marco Fu who made it past Mark Williams 4-2 with breaks of 79, 82 and 60.

The quarter-final line up is completed by Mark Allen, who beat Fergal O’Brien 4-1 with top breaks of 113, 54, 75 and 66. He faces Gerard Greene who battled back from 3-0 down to beat Anthony Hamilton. Hamilton hit runs of 126, 71 and 70 but Northern Irishman Greene managed to win the next four, with 91, 74 and 54 breaks sealing victory in a late finish at the Guild Hall.