BARRY HAWKINS was at his familiar World Championship best to go 11-5 up against tournament favorite Ding Junhui in a suprisingly one-sided quarterfinal.

Hawkins, a semifinalist in Sheffield in three of the past four years, led 5-3 thanks to four first-session half-centuries.

The world number six added three more 50s after the resumption to go 8-3 up.

He then won three of the next five, ending with a century, to move within two frames of a stunning win.

China’s world number three Ding, 31, was the bookmakers’ tip to secure a first world title following early exits for reigning champion Mark Selby and world number two Ronnie O’Sullivan.

But the 2016 runner-up was way off that standard in the first 11 frames, wasting numerous chances as he slipped 8-3 behind.

A confidence-building 102 got Ding back on track and he backed it up with a frame-winning 52.

But Hawkins, 39, remained consistently impressive, taking his match tally of 50-plus breaks to eight and rounding off a majestic performance with a brilliant 113 clearance for a commanding lead.

World number four Judd Trump showed his potting power and battling qualities to take a 5-3 lead over Scotland’s John Higgins in the first session of their World Championship quarterfinal.

(SD-Agencies)