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That encounter was watched by a reported television audience of 110 million people in the country and since then the nation's hopes of a first world champion have largely rested on the shoulders of Ding, who was runner-up to Mark Selby in 2016.

However, after seeing the likes of Mark Selby, Mark Allen and Kyren Wilson depart early from his side of the draw, he is now just one win away from a ninth Crucible final.

In the other match in the afternoon session, China's Si Jiahui moved into the quarter-finals thanks to a 13-10 win over England's Ben Woollaston, who had eliminated fourth seed Mark Selby in the first round.

This was the 15th maximum in the main draw stage of the tournament and the first since Mark Selby's clearance in the 2023 final.

Before his success two years ago Brecel had not won a match at the Crucible, but an epic run saw him defeat Ricky Walden, Mark Williams, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Si Jiahui and finally Mark Selby 18-15 in the final to become the first world champion from mainland Europe.