Wilson not ready for taxi home after fighting back
SCORCHERS SCOTCH EAGLES’SECOND SPOT HOPES
RONNIE O’Sullivan was given a rocky ride by former taxi driver Gary Wilson as the Rocket began his bid for a sixth Betfred World Championship title.
Wallsend cueman Wilson is making his Crucible debut after coming through the qualifying rounds in dazzling style, firing eight centuries over three matches including a 147 maximum break.
And while O’Sullivan looked en route for the second round when he surged 5-1 ahead, Wilson plotted his way back into the contest to trail only 5-4 overnight.
Until now, Wilson has been as well known for his flamboyant mohawk hairstyles as for his snooker, although he did reached the China Open final two years ago.
The hair is all shaved off in Sheffield, with Wilson meaning business, and he was excited to draw O’Sullivan rather than overawed.
Wilson turned to driving taxis when the early years of his chosen career proved a struggle, but better recent fortunes have seen him able to concentrate on snooker.
Early breaks of 57, 58, 63, a second 58 and 122 suggested SURREY SCORCHERS NEWCASTLE EAGLES 112 111 Gary Wilson of Wallsend in action against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Championships in Sheffield
O’Sullivan was playing well in building his four-frame cushion, but he was pegged back by a man on a mission.
O’Sullivan benefited from a huge slice of luck in the sixth frame, when 39 behind with only
35 points left on the table. Wilson flicked the knuckle of the middle pocket from a safety shot and the white deflected tight along the cushion and into the yellow pocket. O’Sullivan cleared up to level the scores and sank the
re-spotted black to open a 5-1 lead.
But what could have been a shattering blow instead appeared to galvanise Wilson, who replied with 64 in taking the next frame and then 63 to cut O’Sullivan’s