Ryan Day produced an excellent recovery against former champion Ken Doherty, whilst Peter Ebdon continued his fantastic form at the World Snooker Championships.

Great Day for Ryan

World number 20 Ryan Day found himself in a bit of bother overnight, trailing 5-4 to former World Champion Ken Doherty. Yet a renewed confidence and sense of ambition helped Day take six out of seven second session frames to stroll to a 10-6 success and claim a place at the Crucible next weekend. Day will hope to improve his game as a highest break of 74 across 10 frames is not the form of a hopeful World Champion.

Peter Ebdon continued his sensational form, converting a 7-2 lead into a 10-2 victory, as Ian Burns was seen off in a short space of time on Wednesday. The 2002 World Champion has now won 17 of the last 18 frames he has played. 

Peter Ebdon has real momentum behind him now. (Photo: Getty)
Peter Ebdon has real momentum behind him now. (Photo: Getty)

Mixed emotions for more former finalists

Ten years ago Graeme Dott sealed his first World Championship success, and he set about trying to achieve a second with a relatively comfortable 10-7 victory over Mike Dunn. Dott dropped frames sporadically but never looked in danger of not qualifying for the Crucible.

Ali Carter has experienced two finals in the last eight years but will be looking to go a step further and win the trophy this year after defeating Dominic Dale 10-6. Carter was in pole position leading 8-1 overnight, but will have felt the nerves when Dale took five consecutive frames at the start of the session. Carter eventually got off the mark for the day with an 82 break, before taking victory in the 16th frame.

Matthew Stevens is another former Crucible runner-up, but he will not be achieving the same feat again this year after a 10-6 defeat to young prospect Kyren Wilson. The world number 19 won five out of seven frames as he progressed to Thursday's draw.

Teenage dream comes to an end

Eighteen-year-old Zhou Yuelong saw his brave qualifying come to an end against Chinese compatriot Zhang Anda. The youngster left himself with too much to do at 6-3 down after the first session and a 113 break from Anda was enough to see him progress with a 10-7 victory.

World number 18 Liang Wenbo recovered from 5-4 behind against Xiao Guodong in the other all Chinese affair. Wenbo won six out of seven second session frames to qualify with relative ease in the end.

Meanwhile, four consecutive frames and a break of 130 was not enough to help Mark King see off Michael Holt. The pair pushed each other to the limit as the closest contest of the day finished 10-8 in favour of the world number 28.

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