The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield has been transformed since the final ball of the quarter-finals was potted last night.

The venue is now a one-table setup and the focus of a near-1,000 crowd, as well as everyone following from home, will be on a single match.

BBC Two

Live coverage from Sheffield has started on BBC Two.

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John Higgins came from behind to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in round two and repeated the feat against Neil Robertson in the last eight to secure his semi-final place.

Trailing 9-7 at the start of the final session, the 50-year-old went on to win 13-10 to keep alive his hopes of a fifth world title.

Image source, PA Media

Zhao Xintong was hoping to become the first first-time winner of the World Championship at the Crucible to successfully defend the title, but his hopes of doing so were ended in the quarter-finals yesterday by Shaun Murphy.

The pair went into their final session level and it was Murphy - the 2005 champion - who raced towards the winning line with a sensational display.

Have your say on the semi-finals via the yellow Get Involved button on this page - a selection of messages will be used alongside the live text updates.

13:00 BST

• John Higgins v Shaun Murphy (frames 1-8)

19:00 BST

• Wu Yize v Mark Allen (frames 1-8)

32 players arrived in Sheffield a couple of weeks ago hoping to be crowned world champion.

Only four still have a shot at Crucible glory.

It's the first day of the World Championship semi-finals today; one features two players to have previously climbed the mountain, the other contains two players who have never reached a world final before in their careers.

First up - four-time champion John Higgins and 2005 winner Shaun Murphy.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media