SHEFFIELD, England, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- John Higgins is now the 15/8 favourite with sponsors Betfred for the World Snooker Championship after knocking out Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals at the Crucible Theatre.
The Scot, a three-time former champion, booked a last-four clash with Mark Williams - saving Betfred a GBP300,000 payout if O'Sullivan had won the tournament - and is 8/13 to reach his third final in five years.
Williams is 13/10 to beat Higgins and the 3/1 third favourite for the title having ended the challenge of Mark Allen.
Second favourite at 9/4 is Ding Junhui, who resisted a Mark Selby fightback to prevail 13-10 and secure a semi-final against Judd Trump, the 4/1 outsider to lift the trophy on May 2.
Ding is 4/7 to win the battle of two young players aiming to reach their first World Championship final, with recent China Open hero Trump an 11/8 chance.
Betfred spokesman Jon Wilde said: "A final is now assured between a Crucible veteran and an exciting young gun and it's just a question of which duo will make it. Higgins is the world No 1 and looks a deserved favourite after the way he grounded 'The Rocket'."
Betfred.com World Snooker Championship odds
Outright: 15/8 John Higgins, 9/4 Ding Junhui, 3/1 Mark Williams, 4/1 Judd Trump.
Semi-finals:
8/13 John Higgins, 13/10 Mark Williams
4/7 Ding Junhui, 11/8 Judd Trump
***Odds subject to fluctuation***
For more information, visit http://www.betfred.com/snooker
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