Murphy pots Parrott

Former winner Shaun Murphy became the first player to reach the quarter-finals of the snooker world championship when he beat John Parrott 13/8 in Sheffield yesterday.

The English duo were tied 8-all before Murphy reeled off five frames in a row to set up a meeting with Matthew Stevens or Mark Allen.  Scotland’s Stephen Maguire needs too more frames to beat Joe Swail when their match resumes.  He leads the Northern Irishman 11-5.