Snooker: Marco Fu, the surprise package of the 888.com World Championship, continued his fine form by taking a 5-3 lead against Ken Doherty in the first session of their quarter-final today.
The Hong Kong player, who had to qualify for the Crucible, ousted Scottish duo Alan McManus and Stephen Maguire to reach the last eight and his fine cue-ball control was on show again.
Doherty, the 1997 champion, went into the match as hot favourite after his impressive 13-8 victory over Matthew Stevens yesterday and made the ideal start by winning the first two frames.
But then Fu found his rhythm and reeled off five in succession, completing the spree with a break of 121 that was his third century of the competition.
It meant the last frame of the session was vital for Doherty to avoid falling too far behind, and the Irishman responded by clinching it after Fu had missed the pink into a middle pocket.
There is still time for Doherty to redress the balance in the first to 13 encounter. The pair resume at 7pm this evening.
In the day's other quarter-final action, Scotland Graeme Dott leads Australian Neil Robertson 5-3. Defending champion Shaun Murphy will take on fellow Englishman Peter Ebdon this afternoon, while the glamour tie of the round sees Mark Williams take on Ronnie O'Sullivan.