Mark Selby sees off Gary Wilson to set up Higgins Quarter-Final at The Crucible
Mark Selby set up a mouth-watering World Snooker Championship quarter-final showdown with John Higgins after seeing off Gary Wilson 13-7.
The Jester booked his place in the last eight at the Crucible for a ninth time after completing a commanding win over the former semi-finalist on Monday.
Holding a healthy 10-6 advantage, Selby began the final session with a brilliant break of 109. Wilson replied with runs of 58 and 53, but squandered subsequent opportunities to close the gap further.
The world number two capitalised to win the final two frames and book an eye-catching clash with fellow four-time champion Higgins.
“It was a tough game, I felt as though the balls dictated the way the match went, it wasn’t a flowing match from start to finish, we both had to battle,” Selby told BBC Sport.
“I feel good in my game. I feel like I’m going to score when I get chances.
“You’re here for two weeks – hopefully, if you go on and win it – and you’re not going to play faultless snooker. When it does go scrappy, you’ve got to keep your head and, hopefully, come out of the sessions good.”
On his showdown with Higgins, he told WST: “I can’t wait. John’s a great guy, I get on really well with him and [he’s] a fantastic player. We’ve had many battles in different tournaments. I’m sure it’ll be another great game.
“The biggest test, for me, when you’re playing John [is] you just mentally need to stay strong because he doesn’t give you anything. He punishes you more times than not when he gets the chance, his safety’s second to none as well.
“If you let your head drop, there’s no way in the world you’re going to win. You know you’re going to be in for a tough battle from start to finish. As long as I stay mentally strong and play a decent game, I’ve got a chance.”
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Anthony McGill joins them in the last eight for a fourth time after wrapping up a 13-8 win over Jack Lisowski.
The Glasgow Gladiator was 11-5 to the good upon the resumption, but Lisowski dug deep with runs of 74 and 48, before snatching frame 19 on the pink with a neat 33 clearance to cut the deficit to 11-8.
But McGill, who had led 10-1 during the second session on Sunday, held his nerve with contributions of 48 and 58 enough to get him over the line.
That sets up a quarter-final clash with Si Jiahui, who completed a 13-7 triumph over Robert Milkins
Also holding an 11-5 after two sessions, the debutant moved to the brink of victory by snatching frame 17 on the black with a 35 clearance.
However, nerves appeared to start showing as he missed match ball in the next, Milkins clearing with 69 before a run of 55 cut the deficit to 12-7.
But the 20-year-old eventually settled down and sealed the win with a timely 105 making him the youngest Crucible quarter-finalist since Matthew Stevens in 1998.
Joining fellow debutant Jak Jones in the last eight, not in 35 years have two first-timers reached this stage in Sheffield.
“I’m really surprised, I never thought I could make it this far,” Si told BBC Sport.
“I did not expect to qualify for the Crucible, but I’ve played really well. It’s incredible. It’s a great feeling to make the quarter-finals.”
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World Snooker Championship 2023 Day 10 Results
Monday April 24
Second Round
Robert Milkins 7-13 Si Jiahui
Jack Lisowski 8-13 Anthony McGill
Mark Selby 13-7 Gary Wilson
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