Ronnie O'Sullivan is looking to add a fourth world title to his 2001, 2004 and 2008 triumphs at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield The referee for their match is Michaela Tabb, who is set to become the first woman to officiate in a final at the Crucible Last year's beaten finalist, Ali Carter, isn't at his best but still manages to secure a 10-5 first-round win over Gerard Greene In a first-round battle of former champions, Stephen Hendry (front) fights back from 5-4 and 7-5 down to beat Mark Williams 10-7 The emotion of the Crucible occasion gets to Ricky Walden as he heads for a first-round exit, beaten 10-6 by Mark Selby Croupier and qualifier Martin Gould had no luck at the table this time, losing 10-6 to Mark Allen It was a bad day at the office for last year's semi-finalist Joe Perry who lost 10-6 to Jamie Cope Steve Davis' 29th visit to the Crucible was brought to an early end by Neil Robertson, 24 years his junior Shaun Murphy, who lost in the second round against Ali Carter last year, eased past Neil Higginson Two-time champion John Higgins is not at his best against Michael Holt but a break of 131 helps him seal a 10-5 victory 'The Rocket' is not in the best of form and loses the first two frames to Mark Allen in the second round before levelling the match at 4-4 But Allen holds his nerve to pull off a stunning 13-11 win over the defending champion After seeing his reign as world champion ended, O'Sullivan gets ready to face the media, including Five Live's Phillip Studd On Sunday, Mark King (left) and Stephen Maguire created Crucible history by playing the longest frame ever at the World Championships King was particular pot-shy in the frame which lasted 74 minutes and 58 seconds, eventually won by Maguire Higgins is all smiles after winning the final three frames to squeeze past Jamie Cope 13-12 Stephen Hendry gets Monday's action off to a flyer with the ninth 147 in World Championship history in his match against Shaun Murphy A superb opening session in the quarter-final between Selby and Higgins saw the Crucible crowd treated to four century breaks Hendry resumes two frames adrift of Murphy at 9-7 down but can hardly bear to look as the 2005 champion extends his lead early on Murphy has difficulty shaking off the attentions of Hendry but eventually comes through 13-11 to reach the semi-finals Surprise-package Allen continues his charge by reaching the last four with an impressive 13-11 victory over Ryan Day Higgins, who eventually beat Selby 13-12, gets the better of a scrappy opening to his semi-final with Allen to lead 6-2 In their semi-final Neil Robertson (above) and Shaun Murphy were 4-4 before Murphy edges ahead of the Australian 9-7 on Friday afternoon Higgins takes early control of his semi-final against Allen, but the Northern Irishman refuses to give up without a battle But 1998 and 2007 world champion Higgins holds his nerve to prevail, winning 17-13 to reach his fourth Crucible final Higgins looks edgy as Mark Allen produces a stunning fightback but the two-time champion stays cool to make the final winning 17-13 The second semi-final was equally dramatic with Robertson levelling at 14-14 but Murphy hits back to win 17-14 and reach the final John Higgins is looking for his third world crown, whilst Shaun Murphy is looking to secure his second Higgins opened an 11-5 lead after the first two sessions of the final thanks in large to winning the last six frames of the day Murphy watches on forlornly as his title dream slips away, with Higgins continuing his fabulous form into Monday The flawless Higgins does not give Murphy a sniff and the Scot wraps up a comfortable 18-9 victory over the 2005 champion Higgins proudly holds the trophy aloft as he becomes only the sixth player to win three or more titles in the modern era
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