Judd Trump (L) and Yan Bingtao at the final of 2020 Coral Players Championship in Southport, England, March 1, 2020. /VCG
Judd Trump and Mark Selby both fought hard on Friday to reach the quarterfinals of the Snooker World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield.
World No.1 and reigning world champion Trump trailed 5-3 after China's Yan Bingtao after Thursday's opening session but won six frames in a row after the game resumed on Friday.
The 20-year-old Yan kept his composure to narrow the gap to one frame but never drew with Trump until he lost his first ever last 16 game at the World Championship 13-11.
Three-time world champion Selby fought even harder as he struggled with Noppon Saengkham until the deciding frame where he made a century to beat the Thai qualifier 13-12.
Ding Junhui during the first round of 2020 Coral Players Championship in Southport, England, February 24, 2020. /VCG
Earlier, Mark William, who also won the world champion title three times, beat Stuart Bingham 13-11.
Scot John Higgins, the runner-up for the past three years, made only the 11th maximum break in the Championship history and his first 147 of Crucible career, but still suffered a shock 13-11 second-round defeat to qualifier Kurt Maflin.
Meanwhile, five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and China's top player Ding Junhui drew 4-4 after the first session. They will return on Saturday to compete in the second of three sessions.
(With input from agencies)