Marco Fu withstood one of the Crucibles finest fightbacks to book his place in the World Championship semi-finals for the second time in his career on Wednesday. Trailing 9-1 after losing the first two frames of the morning session, opponent Barry Hawkins launched a stunning recovery to move within one frame of levelling their last-eight clash in Sheffield.Hawkins, who had edged a nail-biting final-frame win over Ronnie OSullivan in the previous round, won five frames in a row as he came back to 10-9, but his opponent from Hong Kong stood strong to eventually stumble over the line 13 11. The 38-year-old had seemed destined for the last four for the first time since 2006 after building on his 7-1 overnight advantage to move within four frames of victory.But after Hawkins clawed back the deficit, the decisive frames became increasingly pressure-filled affairs until a nerveless break of 74 from Fu in the 24th frame - in response to a 60 from Hawkins - saw him home.Meanwhile, 45-year-old Alan McManus reached his first Crucible semi-final in 23 years after winning the last four frames of his clash with compatriot John Higgins to also triumph 13-11.It was a remarkable performance from the Scottish veteran, who stuck doggedly to Higgins throughout the match before producing some superb break-building in the final frames as four-times champion Higgins was first to wilt. Kyren Wilson has been a star at the Crucible over the last two weeks McManus will face Ding Junhui in the last four, while Fu will take on world No 1 Mark Selby after the Leicester man secured his own passage with a comfortable 13-8 win over rising star Kyren Wilson.The 2014 champion had resumed Wednesdays morning session with a commanding 10-6 overnight lead, and a pair of swift half-centuries set him on his way to victory.Despite his defeat, Wilson believes he has the ability to one day return and win the world title.He said: Without a doubt, I will win this event in the future. I completely believe in myself and this hasnt dampened my confidence.I will have a bit of a rest and will be back working very, very hard to make sure next season is even better than this one. Also See: Williams demolished by Ding Rocket loses last-frame thriller Bet ￡5 Get ￡20 free Get Sky Sports Salomon Outlet Store . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Salomon Shoes From China .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. http://www.cheapsalomon.net/ . Fernandez, coached in Toronto by former two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 267.11 points and is the first champion to successfully defend since Russias Evgeny Plushenko in 2005 and 2006. Cheap Salomon Shoes Online . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. Cheap Salomon Shoes From China . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Lew Wolff is selling all but a small stake in the Oakland Athletics and giving up his managing partner role, turning over leadership of the franchise to John Fisher as the club seeks a new ballpark location.Wolff will become chairman emeritus and Fisher the managing partner. In addition, team president Michael Crowley is stepping away from day-to-day operations after nearly 20 years in the role but will advise the As ownership group. San Jose Earthquakes president Dave Kaval will fill Crowleys role while also keeping his same position with the MLS team.Baseball owners approved the leadership transition for Oakland during meetings Thursday in Chicago. Wolff and Fisher bought the As on April 1, 2005.I am pleased my dear friend of almost 25 years, John Fisher, will be even more involved, Wolff wrote in an email to The Associated Press. I will miss Mike Crowley, who has contributed so much to the As, and I welcome my somewhat newer friend, Dave Kaval, who will bring lots of talent and energy to the As. And, I will be able to watch games with a slight degree of less stress, not much but a little!Wolff had been committed to keeping the As in Oakland but previously wanted to move the team to San Jose and build an intimate new ballpark.Former commissioner Bud Selig never ruled on whether the As can move into the San Francisco Giants cherished territory in technology-rich Silicon Valley. New commissioner Rob Manfred said last month he would like to see the club stay put.Manfred hinted at change when he spoke during the NLL Division Series between the Cubs and Giants at San Franciscos AT&T Park, saying more would be known about the As situation soon.dddddddddddd Manfred noted that Fisher has become more heavily involved in the ballpark planning and has made multiple trips to New York to meet with Manfred and MLB.In addition, Manfred said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf told him the city is committed to keeping the As in town, and she would also like the NFLs Raiders to stay.I want to thank Lew for his leadership over the last 11 years, Fisher said. His initiative and love of the game of baseball brought my family to the As, and we would not be involved without him. Lew has given the organization all of his energy and experience for the last 11 years and I look forward to a new chapter in our working relationship and friendship. It is a privilege for me to steward the As at this important moment for the franchise.The small-budget As won consecutive AL West titles in 2012 and 13, losing in five games of the division series to the Detroit Tigers in both years. But they still consider a new ballpark the top priority to be a regular contender. Oaklands payroll of $87 million, pending award bonuses and adjustments, is above only Tampa Bay and Milwaukees.The run-down Coliseum, shared with the Raiders and the last venue with both Major League Baseball and football, had multiple sewage problems in 2013 that caused damage during games. ' ' '