UK Championship Snooker 2021 | Quarter-Finals Preview and Order of Play

Jonathan Davies in UK Championship 3 December 2021

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Ronnie O’Sullivan v Kyren Wilson live stream | UK Championship 2021 preview

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Kyren Wilson denies Ronnie O’Sullivan to reach UK Championship Semi-Finals

The Warrior is eyeing a first UK Championship semi-final appearance.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Kyren Wilson collide in the pick of the UK Championship Quarter-Finals at the York Barbican on Friday.

Just eight players remain in the first Triple Crown event of the 2021-22 season, with O’Sullivan and Wilson the only two currently ranked in the world’s top five.

The most successful player in UK Championship history, O’Sullivan is seeking an eighth title this week.

The Rocket has seen off Michael White, Robbie Williams, Mark King and Noppon Saengkham so far, but this will be his sternest test yet.

Of course, it is a repeat of the 2020 World Championship final, which O’Sullivan dominated 18-8 to secure a sixth Crucible crown.

Meanwhile, world number five Wilson has dropped just eight frames on the way to his third UK quarter-final.

The Warrior is seeking a first appearance in the last four of this event – and second of the season, having also reached that stage of the Champion of Champions last month.

Elsewhere, it promises to be fast and entertaining when left-handers Jack Lisowski and Zhao Xintong lock horns.

Appearing in his second straight UK quarter-final, six-time ranking event runner-up Lisowski is enjoying his best run of the season so far.

As for world number 26 Zhao, he has beaten Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and John Higgins in deciding frames on the way to booking a last-eight slot here for the first time.

Meanwhile, Anthony McGill is looking to end a run of four straight defeats against Luca Brecel.

This is the Scotsman’s first UK quarter-final since 2014 while Brecel, who has dropped just a single frame in victories over Stephen Maguire and Anthony Hamilton, is making his third appearance at this stage.

Three-time ranking event winner Barry Hawkins has won all six of his previous meetings with surprise package Andy Hicks.

Back in the last eight for the first time since 2013, the Hawk will be desperate to extend his best performance of the season so far.

As for Hicks, this is the 48-year-old’s first ranking event quarter-final as a professional since the 2004 British Open, while you must go back a further nine years for the last time appeared at this stage of the UK Championship.

Play gets underway at 1pm GMT on Friday with all matches contested over the best of 11 frames at the York Barbican Centre.

WATCH UK CHAMPIONSHIP SNOOKER STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)