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Today’s order of play

Here’s what we’re looking at today with some big names in action:

• Judd Trump v Tom Ford (11-5)
• Stephen Maguire v Shaun Murphy (5-3)

14:30

• Jak Jones v Si Jiahui (7-9)
• John Higgins v Mark Allen

19:00

• Joe O’Connor v Kyren Wilson
• Jack Lisowski v Stuart Bingham

First man in the last eight

Dave Gilbert is the first man into the Crucible quarter-finals – and now has three days off.

The Tamworth cueist – who next plays either Stephen Maguire or Shaun Murphy – had moaned about being drawn to face Luca Brecel at 10am on the opening day.

But the quirk of the draw means he does not have to appear in the last eight until Tuesday morning.

Qualifier Gilbert, 42, said: “I was confident going into this. I’ve found something.

“I felt like my game can fire at any point. I have battled well. I was pleased to win a lot of those frames. I found a gear to breakaway.

“I could tell Robert was struggling. I had nothing to feel bad about.

“I have put a lot of work in behind the scenes. I was edgy going into the qualifiers. I hadn’t played a match for a long time.

“I had thought about putting the cue away and never playing again.

“But once I got there, you either sink or swim. And I am swimming.

“When you don’t play, you lose your touch and rhythm. When the balls are there, just get on with it.”

Higgo continues

John Higgins expects to outlive the Crucible as he plots a future into his 50s.

Higgins, a four-time world champion, said: “I won’t retire yet. I think this venue will be retired before I am from snooker.

“It’s a shame. All the noises coming out from the important people within the game, it seems as if we will be leaving here within three years’ time.

“Which will be a shame. I have spent tears, joy, everything rolled into one – your whole life has revolved around this venue.

“It will be a sad day when it leaves. I’m so lucky that I have won it here multiple times.

“Look at the great players that haven’t won it here.

“That might be something they look back on for the rest of their careers, even if they do become world champion, but not at the Crucible.”

Milk Man fury

Robert Milkins justified a cue-chucking episode in his sorry Crucible exit saying: At least I didn’t do an Eric Cantona-style kung-fu kick!

He said: “Throwing my cue was frustration of not being able to have a good crack at it.

“I don’t want to make excuses. But I‘m just sick. I didn’t feel comfortable on any shot. The pain didn’t ease off.

“He punched the table two frames before, but people pick up on me chucking my cue.

“I have no problem with that. It’s all emotions, we are all passionate, we all want to do well.

“I shouldn’t have done it. It’s no big time. I didn’t javelin it. I didn’t do an Eric Cantona-style kick. The tip didn’t come off. There is a certain way to chuck your cue.”

Match stats

Si Jiahui now with over 100 points more than Jak Jones yet still trails in the match.

He’s actually ahead on nearly every stat – except the latest score!

Si Jiahui 7-9 Jak Jones

It was a session full of drama, suspense and incredible moments.

It was also a session full of poor efforts, moments of madness and – as Jimmy White suggested – schoolboy errors.

They’ll continue this match tomorrow after a bit of a mad day they’ve had here.