GILBERT’S MAXIMUM HEARTACHE

DAVID GILBERT came close to a maximum break as he marked his debut in snooker’s World Championship semi-finals by taking a 5-3 lead over four-time champion John Higgins. Gilbert potted 15 reds and 14 blacks in a bid to clinch the £50,000 jackpot for a 147 at the Crucible, but the 16th seed ran out of position after sinking the final red. Higgins had swept into a 2-0 lead but Gilbert, who had won only one match in four previous Crucible appearances, drew level with a break of 94. Gilbert, the 37-year-old underdog, ended the session strongly, capitalising on a Higgins error to secure a 5-3 advantage going into today’s second session. Meanwhile, title favourite Judd Trump stands at 4-4 in his match with qualifier Gary Wilson after last night’s first session.