Mark Selby moves closer to quarter-finals in Sheffield

Five other Welsh players - Mark Williams, Michael White, Jamie Jones, Dominic Dale and Lee Walker - reached the final round of the World Championship qualifying tournament and were within one match of securing a place at the Crucible, only for them all to fall at the final hurdle.

But the 41-year-old hit back with a 63 to finally get on the scoreboard before the mid-session interval and took the next two after the restart with runs of 99 and 65 to level the match.

Selby, who has recorded just one century break so far in the tournament, said he felt confident he had something in reserve.

"I don't feel under pressure as much, but I suppose that goes down to the season I've had leading into it". "But it s not been poor".

The Ditton potter comfortably saw off Tom Ford in the opening round and then beat three-time finalist Graeme Dott on Sunday evening to book his place in the quarter-finals.

Fu lost the first two frames of the final session to trail 10-8, but a 115 break levelled at 10-10. "I never give in and that has always been my philosophy".

In the quarter-final Selby will play Hong Kong s world number eight Marco Fu, who edged past 2010 champion Neil Robertson of Australia 13-11 in an nervy battle to reach his fourth quarter-final.

Fu's 13-11 victory was full of drama as Robertson, a victor at the Crucible in 2010, missed on the black to take the contest to a deciding 25th frame.

"It was very tough. I am relaxed, enjoying my snooker and it seems to be showing". "I was very bad in my first match too".

Mark Selby and Barry Hawkins made light work of their final second round sessions on Monday to join the nearly complete last eight World Championship line-up in Sheffield.

He was quickly followed into the next round by Barry Hawkins who eased past Graeme Dott with the same 13-6 scoreline to set up a last-eight tie with Stephen Maguire.

"Over the years I have had some unbelievably gruelling matches and it takes it out of you".