David Gilbert ended this morning’s second session with back-to-back centuries to leave himself needing just one frame to reach the quarter-finals, leading Robert Milkins 12-4 at the Cazoo World Championship.
Gilbert is riding the crest of a wave, having defeated defending champion Luca Brecel 10-9 in a thrilling opening round clash. The Tamworth cueman is on the cusp of a second trip to the quarter-finals at the Crucible. He last achieved the feat on a run to the 2019 semis, where he was denied a place in the final by John Higgins after a heartbreaking 17-16 defeat.
World number 16 Milkins looks set for the exit unless he can stage a remarkable fightback. However, a crucial 10-9 win over Pang Junxu in the opening round keeps his hopes of remaining in the top 16 alive.
The pair came into this morning with Gilbert holding a 5-3 advantage. The first frame of the day was within Milkins’ grasp before he missed the final blue on 62. Gilbert cleared the last three balls to steal on the black.
An out-of-sorts Milkins was visibly in pain, appearing to be struggling with his neck. He did claim the tenth to make it 6-4, but that would prove to be his last frame of the session.
Gilbert took the next two, before runs of 67, 84, 136 and 123 saw him move to the verge of victory. They return for the concluding session this evening at 7pm.
On the other table, Jak Jones made a tremendous start to his second round clash with Si Jiahui to end the first session 6-2 ahead.
Both players shined on their Crucible debuts 12 months ago, with Jones making the quarters and Si reaching the semi-finals. Only one can make the last eight this time around.
They return this evening for the second of three sessions.