Mark Williams v Gary Wilson live stream: British Open Snooker 2021 Final Preview
Can Wilson claim his maiden ranking title? (Photo by NIgel French/PA Images)
Gary Wilson is aiming to capture his first ranking title when he faces Mark Williams in the 2021 British Open final on Sunday.
The Tyneside Terror is set to appear in only his second ranking final – and first since a 10-2 defeat by Mark Selby in the 2015 China Open showpiece.
Wilson made a dominant start to the week at the Morningside Arena in Leicester; reeling off nine frames without reply in his first three matches.
He then demonstrated tenacious character in his next three; prevailing in deciders on each occasion.
The world number 33 recovered from 2-0 down to see off the in-form David Gilbert in the quarter-finals, while repeating the feat in his semi-final victory over good friend Elliot Slessor.
Former Crucible semi-finalist Wilson is now looking to become the 69th different player to get his hands on ranking event silverware.
If he does so, the £100,000 top prize would propel him to 18th in the world rankings, and within range of a first appearance in the top 16.
Standing in his way, Williams is seeking a 24th ranking title in what is his 37th final.
Champion in 1997, the Welshman is aiming to become the fifth multiple winner of this event after John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Jimmy White.
While he has admittedly been far from his best this week, Williams demonstrated there is more to come during last night’s 4-1 victory over Jimmy Robertson in the semi-finals.
Now in his 30th season on the tour, the 46-year-old produced a match-defining 73 clearance from 61-0 down to take a 3-1 lead when looking certain to be pegged back to two-all.
He has also showed tremendous determination to recover from the brink of defeat against Dominic Dale, Zhang Jiankang and Ricky Walden; making a crucial 40 clearance against the latter to snatch a narrow 4-3 win on the final black.
The final commences at 7.30pm BST on Sunday and will be contested over the best of 11 frames at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.
