Snooker fans are in for a real treat on Wednesday as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ding Junhui clash in the quarter-finals of the Players Championship in Llandudno.

The Rocket met with little resistance from Graeme Dott when breezing through his opening match 6-1 and is to take another step towards what would be a fifth ranking title of the season.

Ding was no match for O’Sullivan when the pair contested the final of the World Grand Prix last month, going down 10-3, but there have been encouraging signs that he is finding something like his best form with the World Championship now firmly on the horizon.

Ding struggled for any sort of consistency early in the campaign but that Preston run saw his excellent break building back in full working order.

With his last two crucible appearances resulting in semi-final and final finishes, it would seem fair to assume that he is priming himself for another big run in Sheffield and he must be respected in the next few weeks as he works his way into top gear.