Rocket 5-4 to overturn early Robertson deficit

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN is the 5-4 outsider to win his Betfred.com World Championship quarter-final against Neil Robertson after a heartbreaking final-frame loss left him 5-3 down following Tuesday’s first session.

Robertson sought to contain The Rocket’s fireworks and some smart match-play frustrated the three-time world champion, but O’Sullivan was still unfortunate to blow a great match-levelling chance in the eighth frame, allowing Robertson to surge back.

Even though he hasn’t been at his fluent best, bookmakers seem to think 4-7 Robertson’s lead is enough to give him the edge.

Jamie Jones and Ali Carter were involved in a similarly tight last-eight tussle but Carter looked in better nick and got his nose in front 5-3. Though Jones showed guts and class when trailing, he faces an uphill struggle and The Captain is the clear 1-6 favourite to seal his place in the semi-finals.

Carter had to play the underdog against Judd Trump in the previous round but now faces a totally different examination as the front-runner against 9-2 shot Jones.

Stephen Maguire led Stephen Hendry 7-1 and Ryan Day was 5-3 up on Matthew Stevens going into the Tuesday evening session on the Sheffield green baize.

Day-Stevens is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday morning when Carter and Jones come through the Crucible curtains and down the steps for their second session.

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