Quite crazy to think that, as MC Rob Walker, just stated during his always-entertaining introductions, Neil Robertson is seeking a first World Championship semi-final in 12 years.

For a player of his calibre - one of the best cueists of his generation - that is almost unthinkable.

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BBC Two

MC Rob Walker is welcoming all four players into the arena as we speak.

Obviously we'll have all of tonight's action right here on the BBC Sport website but you can also watch on the BBC iPlayer.

And there's live coverage on terrestrial television on BBC Two until 22:00 BST.

Pick your preferred method of spectatorship, snooker fans!

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins found it in the last round from somewhere.

First couple of sessions, wasn't scoring and then when it came down to the business end, three centuries in five frames and showed all the grit and determination - he doesn't quit.

Neither does his opponent - it's a tough match.

An absolutely sensational afternoon session from Wu Yize has the 22-year-old from China on the brink of a first ever World Championship semi-final.

Hossein Vafaei, however, came from 9-7 down to beat world number one Judd Trump in the last 16 so discount him at your peril.

The battle to secure a last-four spot against Mark Allen promises to be thrilling.

Image source, Getty Images

Neil Robertson retained the two-frame advantage he held overnight after the first session on Wednesday and takes a 9-7 lead against John Higgins into the final session of their quarter-final tonight.

After extending his lead to 6-3 by taking the first frame of the day, the Australian was forced to watch on as four-time champion Higgins knocked in a barrage of big breaks with runs of 51, 86 and 126 to draw level.

The 'Thunder from Down Under' Robertson, whose only Crucible success arrived in 2010, crafted breaks of 60 and 95 on his way to reeling off the next three frames before the 'Wizard of Wishaw' Higgins countered with an 80 to set up an intriguing finale.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Allen's bid to become the oldest first-time world champion in the modern era gathered momentum as he reached the semi-finals with a 13-11 victory over Barry Hawkins.

The 40-year-old from Northern Ireland is aiming to complete snooker's Triple Crown, having previously triumphed in the UK Championship and Masters.

However, snooker's biggest prize has so far eluded him in 19 previous attempts, with his win over Hawkins earning him a place in the last four for only the third time.

"I thought the second session was one of the best I have ever been involved in, it was really high-quality snooker," Allen said.

"I have won everything else, why can't I win this? I am thinking about it because I come here every year thinking I can win it for the first time."

Allen will now face either Wu Yize or Hossein Vafaei in a best-of-33 encounter that begins on Thursday at 19:00 BST.

Should Allen win the world title he will become the oldest first-time winner in the modern era, eclipsing Stuart Bingham, who claimed the world title in 2015, aged 38 years and 343 days.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Getty Images

Shaun Murphy spoke very eloquently in his post-match press conference.

The 2005 winner talked glowingly about Zhao Xintong but what shone through was his love for the sport.

He is clearly relishing reaching the last four for the first time since 2021 and described himself as a better and more "astute" player now than the one that triumphed here.

"I think I'm a better player than I was 21 years ago. I think I'm a more astute player than I was 21 years ago," said Murphy.

"I've been to the final three times since then and tried to recreate that magic, not quite made it. And once you get to the one-table set-up, you're not too far away. So whatever I've got left in the tank after a really good season, I'm going to give it my all over the next few days."

The 'Crucible Curse' remains intact.

No first-time champion has ever retained their title in Sheffield - and Zhao Xintong has not been able to break that jinx.

That was primarily down to a superb performance over three sessions from 2005 champion Shaun Murphy.

'The Magician' was simply majestic and mercurial in eliminating the reigning champion this afternoon.

Two semi-final spots filled. Two to go.

Neil Robertson and Wu Yize in the box seat to join Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy - but both matches are far from over.

19:00

• Neil Robertson 9-7 John Higgins *
• Wu Yize 10-6 Hossein Vafaei *

An amazing day at the Crucible Theatre already - but there is more drama surely to come.

The only undefeated phenomenon in Crucible history - the 'Curse' of no first-time champion retaining their title - still prevails.

Shaun Murphy ousted defending champ Zhao Xintong with an imperious display earlier while Mark Allen was equally impressive in making the last four.

Who'll join them? We're about to find out...

Image source, Getty Images

What a day we've had so far and there's still more to come...

Who will join Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy in the last four of the World Championship?

Come back to this page from 19:00 BST to see the concluding sessions of Neil Robertson v John Higgins and Wu Yize v Hossein Vafaei.

Image source, PA Media

More from Shaun Murphy, speaking on BBC Two after reaching the semi-finals:

"I was guilty in the first session of being a bit on edge, it was all a bit too important. Even though I shaded it 5-3, we were both gone in the last two frames of that first session because we knew how important it was.

"Going into today's session, I knew that if I didn't play well, I'd lose."

On the impact of working with former world champion Peter Ebdon:

"It's certainly helped me tap into that reservoir of toughness. I've always been quite tough mentally, but having been out there and done it himself, he's able to give you that little word that gets you in that zone.

"Sometimes I've been a bit soft and I'm not saying I've gone nasty, but I've certainly gone harder and I'm not willing to buckle perhaps as easily as I was."

On facing either Neil Robertson or John Higgins in the semi-finals:

"I've played them both here in some great matches. You're splitting hairs between two legends and whoever comes through, it's going to be very difficult."

Rob Walker
Snooker commentator for BBC TV

Wu has gone through the gears and he's been potting balls off the lampshades.

This 22-year-old has delivered a masterclass of snooker this afternoon.

What a star, what a session.

"Wow," says a member of the Crucible crowd, fairly audibly.

Rightly so. Wu Yize absolutely smashes in an incredibly tough blue along the top cushion as he goes exhibition style on the colours.

An amazing 90 break in an afternoon full of stunning snooker from the Chinese 10th seed, who has won six of the eight frames on offer.

As the commentators have repeatedly said, Hossein Vafaei has not done much wrong - Wu has just been irrepressible.

These two will be back to play to a finish tonight, with Wu needing just three frames to book a first-ever Crucible semi-final, against Mark Allen.

There are attacking snooker players and then there is Wu Yize.

Unbelievable long red down the side cushion followed by crunching in the brown to career into the pack of reds off three rails.

He came to the table 35 points behind - after Hossein Vafaei, perhaps costly so, missed a blue to middle - but has crafted a chance out of absolutely nothing.

Shaun Murphy, speaking on BBC Two after his victory against defending world champion Zhao Xintong:

"I think when you're playing great players, which Zhao Xintong unquestionably is, it makes it straightforward for you.

"At 3-0 down, if you'd said I would have been level going into the last session, I'd have snapped your hand off.

"Even though I lost the second session, I was able to get myself in a good headspace for today and I just knew that I had to come out, be somewhere near my best and I think I was. I'm delighted with how I played."