Ryan throws away chance of Crucible win

RYAN DAY admits he threw away a place in the Betfred World Snooker Championship second round after conceding five frames in a row to Anthony McGill.

The Bridgend potter looked set for a last-16 place for the first time in four years when he led 8-5, but Scotland’s McGill took advantage of some Day errors to win 10-8.

It brings the curtain down on the season for the 38-year-old, who has won two ranking titles this season, and could be set for the tournament’s highest break – with his 145 potentially earning him £10,000. But he insists that is scant consolation in the face of another Crucible Theatre exit.

“It was a poor second session of the match, I felt quite happy to half the frames before the mid-session, but I just did not play very well,” he said.

“I made a couple of big breaks on Wednesday, but even then I did not feel at 100 per cent with my game. I was a bit naive and it cost me.

“It was a very disappointing five frames. Anthony is a good player, but I made it too easy for him.”

Day, who entered the match as the favourite despite having to go through qualification, led 6-3 heading into yesterday’s finale after some impressive work late on Wednesday night.

And when the pair shared the first four frames, it looked like a place in the second round for the first time since 2014 was on the cards.

But McGill closed quickly to 8-7 and errors crept into Day’s game, with missed pots and loose safety shots letting the Scot gradually nudge in front.

A couple of spectacular doubles on the blue and pink kept Day’s hopes alive, but his attempt at the final black wobbled in the jaws and McGill completed the 10-8 victory.

■ Watch the snooker World Championship LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.