World Snooker Championship 2023: Kyren Wilson hits five centuries to storm past Ryan Day, Shaun Murphy trails Si Jiahui
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 19/04/2023 at 21:52 GMT
Fresh from hitting a superlative 147 earlier in the day, Kyren Wilson made more history by equalling the most centuries ever made in the first round of the World Snooker Championship. Wilson hit five tons to overpower Ryan Day and book his place in the next round where he faces a mouthwatering tie against John Higgins. Shaun Murphy trails Si Jiahui 5-4 after their first session.
'Unbelievable' - Wilson reflects on 147 at Crucible and 'moment I dreamed of'
Kyren Wilson hit five centuries to storm past Ryan Day at the World Snooker Championship and book a place in round two, while Shaun Murphy trails Crucible debutant Si Jiahui 5-4 after their opening session.
Wilson had begun the evening session 6-3 ahead, having starred earlier in the day - only the 13th ever to have been made at the Crucible.
He was immediately pegged back by Day in the first frame of the night as the gap narrowed to just two frames.
But from then on Wilson found some fine form as he reasserted his authority.
First a 120 took him 7-4 ahead, and then a similarly beautifully compiled 108 - his fourth century of the match at that point - put further water between him and Day.
It got worse for Day as Wilson took the next frame too, and as the players went off for the mid-session interval it looked like only one result was on the cards.
However, Day emerged revitalised from the bowels of the Crucible and he forged into a 57-point lead in the next frame.
Wilson was in top form though, and a wonderful long diagonal got him back at the table.
He then composed a quick 24 before missing a red to the left corner pocket, and that was the window Day needed to secure the balls he needed for the frame.
At 9-5, Wilson was still the heavy favourite, but he didn't want to give Day too much encouragement of pulling off a comeback.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/04/19/3687554-75041008-2560-1440.jpg)
Kyren Wilson of England reacts in the first round match against Ryan Day of Wales on day 5 of the 2023 Cazoo World Championship at Crucible Theatre on April 19, 2023 in Sheffield, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
And no doubt with that in mind he got in amongst them first in frame 15 and compiled a nerveless break of 102 - his fifth and final ton - to seal the match and a place in round two.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/04/19/3687342-75036768-2560-1440.jpg)
Overhead Cam: Watch Wilson's spectacular 147 from special angle
In the other evening match, Murphy took on Si, and it was the 2005 Crucible champion who got off to the better start, knocking in an imperious 131 as he backed up his belief on the eve of the tournament that he could "be a handful for anyone".
Murphy doubled his advantage in quick time thereafter as it was looking like being a chastening evening for Si, who had come under fire from Murphy following their last meeting.
But Si, 20, was finding his feet, and an 81 got him on the board in frame three.
Murphy recorded another ton as he re-established his two-frame lead, but he was starting to be matched by Si, who reduced his arrears to 3-2.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/04/19/3687626-75042448-2560-1440.jpg)
Shaun Murphy of England looks on during their round one match against Si Jiahui of China on Day Five of the Cazoo World Snooker Championship 2023 at Crucible Theatre on April 19, 2023 in Sheffield, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
And when the Chinese levelled at 3-3 after a long, topsy-turvy sixth frame, the match suddenly took on a different complexion.
Indeed Si rattled off the next two to make it four frames in a row, and the prospect of a healthy lead for the second session.
But Murphy, after another lengthy frame, eventually managed to win the last to trail by just one heading into their deciding session on Thursday.
- - -
Stream the 2023 Snooker World Championship live on Eurosport and discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement