Zhao Xintong holds off Ding Junhui in tense battle to reach Crucible quarters

• Defending champion faces Shaun Murphy after 13-9 win

• Mark Selby and Yu Wize level at 4-4 after first session

Zhao Xintong moved closer to cracking the so-called “Crucible Curse” as he booked his quarter-final place at the World Snooker Championship, wrapping up a hard-fought 13-9 win over compatriot Ding Junhui.

The defending champion shrugged off some evident nerves to build on a 9-7 overnight advantage despite losing an error-strewn, 46-minute opener that saw Ding temporarily reduce the arrears to a single frame.