Iran's Hossein Vafaei produced the biggest shock of this year's World Snooker Championship, defeating world number one Judd Trump 13-12 in a final-frame decider on Monday. Trump, who led 10-7 and 12-11, could not hold off Vafaei, who compiled a break of 91 in the deciding frame to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Vafaei, who received a standing ovation, said: 'He's such a tough opponent. I respect him on and off the table. Today I played better than yesterday and I managed it better than before. I've been working on the mental side, I've wanted to be calmer and perform.'
Meanwhile, Ronnie O'Sullivan admitted he was 'realistic' about his chances after seeing his bid for a record eighth Crucible title ended by John Higgins. O'Sullivan twice led by five frames but lost six in a row over the final two sessions, with Higgins firing three centuries on Monday to secure a 13-12 victory.
O'Sullivan revealed he had booked a flight back to Ireland for Monday morning, expecting to lose before the final session. 'I haven't been in any big matches for two years. Playing the top boys in a real pressure situation now, I knew it was going to expose me in some sort of way,' he said.
Higgins, who trailed 9-4 at one stage, described the win as 'up there' with his best. 'I'm just delighted I came to the party in the third session. The atmosphere was incredible,' he said.
In other action, Mark Selby branded the playing conditions 'horrific' after losing 13-11 to China's Wu Yize. Selby said: 'I felt like the conditions were the worst I've experienced here at the world championship.'
