World Snooker Championship 2021: Day Three preview and order of play – Wilson launches Crucible quest

Jonathan Davies in World Snooker Championship 18 April 2021

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Jubilant Jamie Jones feeling ‘dangerous’ after Stephen Maguire scalp at the World Championship

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Comeback king Kyren Wilson books second-round spot at the World Championship

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

Kyren Wilson launches his quest to go one step better at the World Snooker Championship on day three at the Crucible Theatre.

Six more players enter the fray on Monday, while two more matches play to a conclusion and by the close of play, eight of the second-round participants will be confirmed.

World number six Wilson was the beaten finalist in Sheffield last year; losing 18-8 to an inspired Ronnie O’Sullivan following an incredible run that included the dethroning of reigning champion Judd Trump.

The Warrior will be eyeing more of the same in 2021, having already captured the Championship League title this season.

The four-time ranking event winner faces namesake Gary Wilson, who is back at the Crucible for a third appearance.

The Tyneside Terror, who reached the 2019 semi-finals, is aiming for his first-ever victory over the Kettering cueist, having lost in each of their five previous meetings.

Ding Junhui, 2016 World finalist, also begins his mission to go one better against 2015 champion Stuart Bingham, with both players making their 15th appearances and seeking progress beyond the last 16 for the first time in three years.

Ninth seed Ding has arguably been handed the toughest draw of the opening round in world number 18 Bingham, who was forced to qualify for the first time since 2011.

World number 14 Jack Lisowski will also have his work cut out against two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter.

Lisowski is one of the form players this season, having reached three ranking event finals, but has won just one match in his four previous appearances in Sheffield.

Carter was a 10-6 winner when the players last faced off at the same stage of this event in 2019, and will be eyeing more of the same as he makes his 18th appearance at the Crucible.

Elsewhere, John Higgins has work to do against China’s Tian Pengfei.

The four-time World champion looked out-of-sorts on Sunday as he fell 4-1 behind, but won the last two frames of the session to leave the contest finely poised.

World number 16 Anthony McGill resumes 5-4 to the good against three-time ranking event winner Ricky Walden.

A real seesaw battle between the two former semi-finalists so far, a second-round showdown with reigning champion O’Sullivan awaits the victor.

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