Kyren Wilson reaches final after bizarre and dramatic win over Anthony McGill

Updated 14/08/2020 at 18:45 GMT

An emotional Kyren Wilson battled into the final of the World Championship with a thrilling 17-16 win over Anthony McGill.

Kyren Wilson

Image credit: Eurosport

Wilson denied McGill, who was attempting to be the first man to come through qualifying and reach the final since Ding Junhui in 2016.

World Championship

'I need to be patient' - McGill on defeat to Bingham at Crucible

00:02:11

28/04/2021 at 19:30

It came down to a tense final frame. Wilson missed a red into the middle pocket and when he returned to the table he played a poor safety shot.

McGill was not able to capitalise, though, sending the final red spinning around the table.

The pair exchanged further safety shots on that last red, with McGill then racking up fouls, and Wilson doing the same - much to his consternation.

'You cannot believe it!' - Kyren Wilson misses easiest of reds in deciding frame

McGill finally potted the red - 25 minutes after the previous score - but ended up snookering himself on the green.

And almost an hour into the final frame, after a series of tactical parries, Wilson fluked the green to put himself 97-74 up. He apologised to his opponent and had to gather himself before attempting the brown - which he missed.

Wilson overcome with emotion after fluking green to finally settle epic final frame against McGill

But McGill required snookers as well as the points on the table - and eventually Wilson got the pink in the pocket to secure his place in the final.

"No-one wants to win like that...he obviously felt a bit disappointed for Anthony McGill," said Eurosport expert Jimmy White afterwards.

The pair even shook hands after that last ball went home - emphasising just how much it meant to them both.

"I don't even feel like I've done anything wrong," said a shell-shocked McGill afterwards. "I feel as though it's been stolen from me - not by Kyren, by the snooker gods."

'The most incredible frame... ridiculous' - Watch remarkable exchanges between Wilson and McGill

It was Wilson who had started the brighter, with a break of 94 in the first frame of the afternoon to extend his lead to 14-11.

But the Scotsman fought back, with a break of 84 followed by two centuries to draw level.

Wilson edged ahead again, taking advantage of a rare error from McGill as a red rolled into the pocket following a cannon into the pack.

Kyren Wilson on stunning final frame: 'I just couldn't believe what was happening'

McGill then eked out frame 30 with two decent breaks, and moving into the lead again with a break of 98.

The penultimate frame was a nervy one, with a re-rack required before Wilson punished McGill leaving a red right on the pocket.

World Championship

'Just can't wait' - Emotional Bingham on reaching semi-finals

00:02:19

28/04/2021 at 19:28

World Championship

'Brilliant pot' - Trump sinks outrageous long red from cushion

00:00:33

28/04/2021 at 20:35

World Championship

'I'd encourage players to take a knee at Crucible' – Alfie Burden on snooker's fight against racism

01/01/2021 at 12:13

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me