World Championship 2023 - last 16 - Quarters 1 & 2

• Ronnie O'Sullivan V Hossein Vafaei

After Vafaei's comments about Ronnie last year, there was always a small rivalry between these two but the fact Vafaei again branded Ronnie "disrespectful" following his win in round 1 this week against Ding Junhui the rivalry has been heightened which sets up the meeting between the pair nicely. 

Vafaei played brilliantly in the second session of his win making breaks of 122 & 117 on the way to outplaying his Chinese opponent.

On the other hand, Ronnie was far from his best in beating Pang Junxu but will Vafaei's comments be the perfect catalyst to fire him up for a tilt at winning the title for his 8th time.

There have been 3 meetings between the pair, Ronnie leads the H2H 2-1,

Sessions: 

1. Saturday 21st April - 2.30pm
2. Sunday 22nd April - 2.30pm
3. Monday 23rd April - 10am

Prediction: Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-10 Hossein Vafaei

• Luca Brecel V Mark Williams

Having come through a final frame decider to get his first crucible win on his 6th attempt, Brecel should feel less pressure, he'll also go into this match as the underdog which will suit him.

Williams reached the last 16 with relative ease, defeating Jimmy Robertson 10-5, making one century. He will see this an opportunity to possibly meet his "class of 92" rival Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter final.

Sessions:

1. Thursday 20th April - 1pm
2. Friday 21st April - 10am
3. Friday 21st April - 7pm

Prediction: Luca Brecel 9-13 Mark Williams

• Anthony McGill V Jack Lisowski

A defeat of world number 4 and masters champion Judd Trump in round 1 adds to McGill's ever growing list of scalps he's achieved at the crucible, it would've been easy for him to back down once Trump had reduced the deficit to 7-6 but instead he took control to win the remaining 3 frames.

He will be full of confidence and will be eyeing up going further than the semi final he reached in 2020.

Lisowski made hard work of coming through 10-7 against Noppon Saenghkam having raced into a 9-4 lead, He had played some lovely stuff in the early parts of that match so plenty for him to be positive about. 

Sessions:

1. Saturday 22nd April - 10am'
2. Sunday 23rd April - 2.30pm
3. Monday 24th April - 7pm

Prediction: Anthony McGill 13-8 Jack Lisowski