Snooker: Stephen Hendry and Matthew Stevens will fight it out for a place in the final of the Bahrain Snooker Championship after both came through their respective last-eight matches. The in-form duo will meet in the semi-finals tomorrow afternoon.
Hendry was the first to book his spot in the best-of-11 clash when he overcame dangerous qualifier Robert Milkins 5-2.
The pair put on a dazzling show early in the match with three century breaks in the first three frames, starting with a 137 from Milkins. Hendry hit back with 113 and 132 and never looked back.
"I played pretty well again, I only missed a few shots," said Hendry, who has proved to be the big crowd favourite in Bahrain. "Rob made a fast start so it was good to get level quickly, and get the second and third frames without giving him a shot.
"The longer you go on in tournaments, the better you perform. I enjoy winning. I'm here to work, and to do a job."
Stevens, 31, has slipped down the rankings to 17th in recent times but is on his way back to form in the Gulf. He beat compatriot Dominic Dale 5-2.
Dale was 2-0 up after breaks of 75 and 57 but the Welshman hit back with breaks of 81, 69 and 53 in the last to seal the deal.
Stevens is aiming for his second ranking title and tomorrow will be his first semi-final since 2005. Neil Robertson and Mark Allen will contest the other semi tomorrow night.
Australian Robertson, 10th in the world, shocked competition favourite Stephen Maguire 5-2 while Northern Ireland's Allen beat Barry Hawkins by the same score.
Melbourne's Robertson played superbly to come from 2-1 to stun the world number two, recording breaks of 75, 52, 116 and 74 to take the last four frames.
Allen, who is into his second career ranking semi-final, posted three centuries.
"I am here to win the tournament. Anything other than that would be a disappointment for me," he said.