McGill powers clear in his big revenge clash
SCOT SURGES 6-2 UP EARLY IN SEMI-FINAL
ANTHONY McGILL, who has been angling for revenge over Kyren Wilson since he was 13, got off to a flier in their Crucible semi-final.
The Glaswegian has had to shoulder comparisons with Scottish greats Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Graeme Dott.
But world No39 McGill is now starting to make his own history and getting down to the last four represents his best run at the BetfredWorld Championship in Sheffield.
McGill, who has so far dodged five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and three-time winner Mark Selby, surged into an early 6-2 lead on world No8 and former German Masters champion Wilson – one of the fiercest competitors in the game.
The 29-year-old said he did not pick out Wilson as one to watch as a junior. “I remember me and Kyren turning professional the same year,” he explained.
“It was in the PIOS Series. I think I came fifth maybe and he finished fourth and we both got on tour.
“But it goes back further even than that as juniors. I can remember clearly the first time I played Kyren. It was in a tournament in Coalville, a small town in Leicestershire.
“We played in a plate competition for firstround losers, I think I was 13. It was the plate semi-final and he beat me 2-1.
“No disrespect at all but of the England juniors at that time, I wouldn’t have put Kyren as the best of the group.
“He was in the bracket of the best but not the best. Maybe Jack Lisowski and Michael
White were more touted at that time. But Kyren has done the best out of them.
“The achievements of Stephen Hendry and John Higgins have been raised with me all my career – but it just isn’t an issue.They are two of the best players in history.
“I don’t see myself in that league. If I was a different person, cocky and more arrogant, I would go round saying I was as good as them. But I have never done.”
McGill has already knocked in breaks of 83, 78, 53, 69 and 92 against Wilson. Meanwhile, O’Sullivan started his first Crucible semi-final for six years – against World Championship nemesis Selby – with sharp criticism from Mark Williams ringing in his ears.
As the Rocket’s beaten quarterfinal opponent Williams headed home, it was with a parting pot shot at his conqueror.
O’Sullivan, left, had said of the young players on tour: “They are so bad. I was thinking, ‘You’d have to lose an arm and a leg to fall outside the top 50’.
But three-time champion Williams, who mentors young professionals, said: “It’s totally disrespectful. He is the pioneer for our sport, the main man and the best player.
“But you’d never have another top sportsman in their field disrespecting or slagging off the rest of the tour.” ❑TODAY is decision-day on whether the Government will allow a reduced crowd in for the final.