The first round of snooker's most prestigous event draws to a close on Thursday as the first two last 16 matches commence at the Crucible.
The tournament has failed to disappoint so far and hace proved to be one of many upsets, with the likes of Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen and Ding Junhui all making early exits from the competition at the hands of unseeded opposition.
Just two sessions are to be played with the first in the afternoon at 1pm and the second getting underway at 7pm.
Ali Carter looks to finish off the job against the highest rankied qualifier in Mark Davis; The Captain holds a commanding 8-1 lead and surely has one foot in the next round.
A superb first session from the 2008 finalist banished rumours of a possible early retirement as he proves he can still cut it at the highest level over a long format.
Australia's number one Neil Robertson takes on Dave Gilbert, a potato picker by day, for a place in the Quarter-Finals.
The first of three marathon sessions begins in the afternoon with left-hander Robertson firm favourite to see-off Gilbert over the long haul with his clinical attacking approach.
Gilbert knocked out Martin Gould in round one and will be playing without pressure as he enjoys a dream run in snooker's showcase event having lost his place on the main tour last year, regaining it the hard way through Q School.
Veteran Joe Perry comes into his last 16 clash with highly-rated Scot Stephen Maguire having recorded the tournament's most one-sided scoreline so far in beating Graeme Dott 10-1 in his opener.
Maguire has been tipped by many as a possible outside bet for the title and has proved his calibre by surging up the rankings this season courtesy of a series of consistent performances.
He saw off Luca Brecel with a number of trademark big breaks to reach this stage and knows what it takes to go the distance in major ranking events, having won PTC 12 and made it to the German Masters final in February.
Controversial Welshman Mark Williams looks to become the latest Welsh player into the last 16 as he prepares for the climax of the match with China's Liu Chuang.
The two-time world champion leads the youngster 6-3 after a highly entertaining start which included a 111 break in the ninth frame from the Welsh Potting Machine.
Williams was greeted by boos from the Crucible crowd as he entered the arena following his remarks on Twitter expressing his negative views on the venue, but will be hoping to let his cue do the talking by sealing victory to set up a second round glamour tie against Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The action gets underway at 1pm GMT, with first round matches being streamed live over the best of 19 frames and second round the best of 25 over three sessions from the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
Thursday April 25
Round one/ last 16
1pm
7 Ali Carter v Mark Davis (final session RD 1)
22 David Gilbert v Neil Robertson
7pm
18 Joe Perry v Stephen Maguire
9 Mark Williams v Liu Chuang (final session RD 1)
