Snooker: Shaun Murphy continued in the form which had seem him produce one of the greatest comebacks in the World Championships as he opened up an early lead in the semi-final with qualifier Mark Selby.
Murphy had come from 12-7 down to defeat Matthew Stevens in the previous round and he won three of the opening four frames against Selby.
Murphy was an odds-on favourite with bookmakers to reach the final with Selby rated at 13-8 to go through in the best-of-33 frame contest.
Murphy had runs of 39 and 38 to open his account and a break of 70 in the next doubled the advantage of Murphy, who two years ago had become the lowest ranked player at 48 to win snooker's greatest prize.
Selby, at 23 the youngest player left in the tournament, was taking time to adjust to the one-table arena in front of a packed Crucible audience.
In the other semi-final Stephen Maguire and John Higgins shared the opening eight frames in the battle of the Scots.