It’s down to the quarter-finals stage in Thailand and there are three former six red champions left in the hunt for World Championship glory this week.
That list doesn’t include reigning winner Kyren Wilson, though, after the Kettering cueist bowed out at the first knockout hurdle to David Gilbert with a 6-4 defeat.
Gilbert will face John Higgins in the last eight later on Thursday in what will be a repeat of their epic World Snooker Championship contest at the Crucible Theatre in May.
The trio of former six red champions include Mark Williams, Ding Junhui, and Stephen Maguire.
The latter came from 5-3 behind to deny all-time legend Jimmy White in a dramatic tussle.
White, who recently triumphed in the World Seniors Championship, built up a healthy lead in the decider but watched as his opponent cleared to pinch it on the final black.
After last months Triumph winning the World Seniors Championships its the end of the 6 Reds World Championships for The Whirlwind Jimmy White as he’s beaten 6-5 by Stephen Maguire in the last 16 #snooker #6reds #SixRedWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/pGE3r4Kb5Y
— Phil Mudd (@MuddPhil) September 5, 2019
Scotland’s Maguire won the World Cup representing his country alongside Higgins earlier in the summer and the two pals are on opposite sides of the draw this week, so a reunion battle could be in store.
The 2014 winner faces Ali Carter after the “Captain” just about held off amateur Passakorn Suwannawat to dispel any hope of a home victory this weekend.
With the last of the Thai contingent accounted for, the chances of an Asian success lies solely with 2016 champion Ding Junhui.
Ding edged Graeme Dott in a close encounter and will next face Gary Wilson after the 34 year-old overcame Ding’s compatriot Yan Bingtao in a 6-5 thriller.
Williams, meanwhile, boasted the last 16’s most comfortable outing after a 6-1 drubbing of Joe Perry.
The Welshman’s reward is a date with Stuart Bingham, who easily outplayed Mark Selby and inflicted a 6-2 defeat on the former world number one.
The Six Red World Championship runs until Saturday with more than £100,000 at stake for the champion.
For players not already qualified, it will also potentially provide the winner with an opportunity to gain an invitation into the lucrative Champion of Champions later this year.