Selby, Murphy into China Open quarterfinals

BEIJING - World number one Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy both booked a place at the quarterfinals of 2015 World Snooker China Open on Thursday.

Neck-pain bundled Selby took a 3-1 lead before the interval. His opponent David Gilbert managed to gain one frame back but Selby wrapped up the victory at 5-2 including a 65-point break.

"I'm getting better now. When I get back home, I will go to gyms and try to get healthy before the World Championship," said Selby who got some patches on the pain spot.

Selby will meet the world No 17 Robert Milkins in quarterfinals on Friday. As the top 16 ranked players will automatically qualify for the first round of the World Championship, which will start on April 18 at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, Milkins has to win this match in order to secure one ticket for the World Championship.

Murphy nearly reached his career's fourth 147 during his 5-3 victory over Jamie Jones, who also put on a century in the match.

Jones snatched the first frame but was forced to sit on the chair witnessing Murphy's three-frame comeback including a 143-point show. Though Jones seized two more frames, he still failed to turn the table against the in-form Murphy.

Murphy will encounter Kurt Maflin in the quarterfinals.