28 April 2004	Wednesday	07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

SHEFFIELD, April 27: English qualifier Ian McCulloch thanked his sports psychologist after booking a place in the world championship quarterfinals with a comfortable victory over Scotland's Alan McManus on Monday.

McCulloch, who upset Peter Ebdon in the first round, opened up a commanding 7-1 lead in the opening session and went on to win 13-6. The 32-year-old had to qualify for the tournament but he is enjoying a new lease of life after linking up with sports psychologist Graham Slater.

McCulloch says he is undaunted at the prospect of facing Crucible stalwart Stephen Hendry in the last eight. Former champion John Higgins is considering following McCulloch's lead after going down 13-10 against fellow Scot Graeme Dott.

Dott now faces David Gray in the last eight. Gray enjoyed a comfortable passage through to the quarterfinals with a 13-5 win against Lee Walker.

Second round results

Graeme Dott (Scotland) bt John Higgins (Scotland) 13-10

Frame scores (Dott first): 59-55 70-0 69-44 53-72 90-43 65-60 39-63 18-61 75-17 49-84 72-0 80-43 71-39 54-64 0-82 74-7 22-79 63-33 68-0 0-89 52-74 4-130 63-24

Ian McCulloch (England) bt Alan McManus (Scotland) 13-6

Frame scores (McCulloch first): 1-59 106-0 68-31 98-23 82-8 113-0 82-0 84-0 66-73 26-67 23-103 66-57 68-30 81-6 0-89 50-45 67-1 0-81 71-63

David Gray (England) bt Lee Walker (England) 13-5

Frame scores (Gray first): 55-13 19-67 65-43 60-1 63-34 0-115 21-105 76-40 41-69 100-0 50-48 74-12 117-9 99-30 0-74 63-35 51-42 61-14

Quarterfinal draw:

Joe Perry (England) v Matthew Stevens (Wales) Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) v Anthony Hamilton (England) Graham Dott (Scotland) v David Gray (England) Stephen Hendry (Scotland) v Ian McCulloch (England). -Reuters

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