Zhao Xintong staves off curse

Defending champion Zhao Xintong has moved into the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship with a 13-9 victory over Ding Junhui.

Zhao's win brings him one step closer to breaking the 'Crucible Curse,' where no first-time champion has ever defended their title.

The all-Chinese clash was a showcase of high-quality break-building, with Zhao producing three centuries in the final session.

He will now face Mark Allen in the last eight, who progressed after a hard-fought win over Barry Hawkins.