John Higgins fought back from one of the worst Crucible sessions of his career to keep his dream of winning a fifth World Championship title alive at the Crucible.
Higgins was in desperate form for much of the morning session against David Gilbert but went on to score a tournament-high break of 143 as he reduced the overnight deficit to 13-11.
It was a gutsy performance from Higgins after Gilbert had started the day by winning three straight frames – including a break of 125 in the opener – to turn a 5-3 lead from the first session into an 8-3 advantage.
High drama to end the session! What a final black from Gilbert. He now leads John Higgins 10-6 heading into tonight. #ilovesnooker @Betfred pic.twitter.com/8ngqGbkO2y — World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) May 3, 2019
But for a missed green in the next it could have been 9-3, but Higgins characteristically dug deep to win the next two and haul himself back into contention.
The Tamworth player responded magnificently, with a break of 72 winning the penultimate frame and a nerveless final black sealing a 10-6 advantage ahead of their return for the evening session.
Virgo: "This is one of the worst sessions he (Higgins) has had in all his years of coming here". — Mark Staniforth (@markstani1) May 3, 2019
The evening's action began in bizarre fashion when the referee ordered a member of the audience to leave for apparently shouting something following the initial break-off shot.
Gilbert continued to show few signs of nerves as he extended his lead to five frames by taking the opener.
Higgins, who still seemed far from top form, pulled one back after a lengthy safety battle and, after Gilbert won the next with a 75, the Scot brilliantly cleared the colours to reduce the deficit again to 12-8.
Higgins' stunning clearance of 143 also saw the tournament reach 86 centuries for the fortnight, equalling the record.
Gilbert appeared unfazed and responded immediately with a break of 91 to re-establish his four-frame lead.
💯 RECORD MATCHED 💯 Like in 2015 & 2016, the @Betfred World Championship produces 86 tons! John Higgins knocks in a tournament-high 143 to move within three of Gilbert [12-9], and we've a fair bit of snooker to play to beat the record... #ilovesnooker pic.twitter.com/lpH3wC0KCL — World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) May 3, 2019
But the underdog's nerves were clearly on show in the final two frames of the session, which Higgins battled through to win and reduce the deficit to 13-11 going into Saturday afternoon's concluding session.
Judd Trump will take a 9-7 advantage into the concluding sessions of his semi-final against qualifier Gary Wilson.
Resuming at 4-4, Wilson twice nudged in front before Trump, looking to reach his first final since he lost to Higgins in 2011, showed signs of stirring with a break of 73.
While Wilson continued to look far from overawed by the big occasion, he was rendered a virtual spectator as Trump reeled off the next four frames in succession to seize control.
Breaks of 73, 123 and 75 in the last three frames... @judd147t is definitely warmed up now 🔥 #ilovesnooker @Betfred pic.twitter.com/9iSYbXORdX — World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) May 3, 2019
But just when the momentum appeared to have shifted in favour of his opponent, Wilson responded again, scoring an excellent 77 break in the final frame of the day to reduce the deficit.
Trump and Wilson are set to play to a finish over two sessions on Saturday, sandwiching the conclusion of the clash between Higgins and Gilbert in the afternoon.
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