David Grace ousts Peter Ebdon in York to earn life-changing windfall

The world number 81 partially bankrolls his sporting dream by cleaning tables at a snooker centre, but has now scooped a minimum £20,000 prize for reaching the quarter-finals.

Grace reeled off five of the opening six frames, setting the tone with a match-high break of 84 en route to his impressive victory.

"Every match I play here is the biggest of my career," said Grace afterwards.

"I’ve been around a long time and done nothing so I was due a run. I was a bit lucky in the first few frames today, I fluked a few balls. That’s what happens when you’re having a good week.

He will contest a semi-final spot with either Martin Gould or Joe Swail.

Former champion Shaun Murphy went out of the tournament against Marco Fu of Hong Kong, the 2008 winner going down 6-4 in a contest in which he never quite hit his stride.

Mark Selby found life easier as he raced through his encounter with Dechawat Poomjaeng 6-1.

Selby swerved an upset against Jamie Jones in the previous round, eventually coming through 6-5, but never looked in trouble as he notched half centuries in the first five frames – breaks of 82, 58, 106, 86 and 98.

"I should have been put out of the tournament by Jamie the other night," said Selby.

"But having come through that match I’m feeling less pressure, and today I was relaxed and played my own, game.

Peter Ebdon 2-6 David Grace

Dechawat Poomjaeng 1-6 Mark Selby

Marco Fu 6-4 Shaun Murphy

Luca Brecel 3-5 Matthew Selt

Liang Wenbo v Tom Ford

Neil Robertson v Stephen Maguire

Martin Gould v Joe Swail

Jamie Burnett v John Higgins