Former world champion Graeme Dott has tipped Ditton's Barry Hawkins to go all the way at this year's championships.

Hawkins beat Dott 13-6 on Monday to set up a last-eight clash with Stephen Maguire - and Dott can't see why the Hawk can't go one better than in 2013, when he finished runner-up to Ronnie O'Sullivan.

The 2006 winner said: "I said to Barry at the end there is no reason why you can’t win it.

"He is ideal for the Crucible. I know everybody talks about Judd Trump being due to win it but Barry’s game is ideal for what you need here.

"His safety is fantastic, his long potting, especially from the cushions, is ridiculous. He just doesn’t miss any long red. He’s got an all-round perfect game."

But Hawkins knows this version of Maguire is far different from the one we have seen over the past couple of seasons and expects the Scottish star to push him all the way when their match kicks off on Tuesday.

“I think he has been getting his head down again and working to get back to the top of the game, where he belongs,” he said.

“He is looking to have a really good run and get back up the rankings again, and he will be fired up for it. I enjoy the way he plays so I hope it will be a good game.

“I am probably a little bit surprised he has not gone on to do better things. But he will be the first person to say he has probably abused himself a bit.

“I love going out for a drink now and again but the game doesn’t forgive you and you start getting beat. He knows that now and is putting the work in, and he’s getting the rewards.”

Although Maguire has impressed, Hawkins has too – with his display against Dott on Monday ruthlessly efficient.

Dott had chances in the first frame but, as soon as Hawkins won, it was one-way traffic and Hawkins wrapped it up impressively.

“I am delighted to finish off quickly, I nicked a massive frame in the second session to go 10-6 up but overall I am really pleased,” he said.

“I was not on top form but I think I was solid in most departments and mentally I was strong – which you have to be out there.

“I am glad it is over, it is always nerve-wracking. You always want to finish a match off as quickly as possible, it is a really long tournament and in years gone by I have had some gruelling matches in the last-16 and quarter-finals and it takes it out of you.

“I was expecting Graeme to come out all guns blazing but overall I think I kept him cold and away from the table most of the time.”

Watch the Snooker World Championship Live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player, with Colin Murray and analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.