John Higgins grabbed a 5-3 head over Kyren Wilson after the first session of their World Championship semi-final clash. Englishman Wilson missed a straightforward red when well placed to level the tie in the eighth frame but can perhaps count himself lucky to only be two frames behind regardless after trailing 4-1.
Higgins, who dumped out Judd Trump in a final frame decider in the previous round, is a four-time champion at the Crucible, while Wilson has reached the one-table stage of the tournament for the first time. The 42-year-old’s greater experience showed as he hit breaks of 57, 65 and 77 to take that 4-1 lead but Wilson did manage to fight back. Wilson managed a clearance of 140 as part of his response and the Masters runner-up is well in this tie going into the remaining sessions of the best of 33 frames contest.
Higgins is the 1/4 favourite to claim the win and the Wizard of Wishaw is available at 16/1 to win 17-7 or 10/11 to claim the victory with a -4.5 frame handicap. Wilson is rated at 14/5 to come out on top or 15/1 to win 17-16. Higgins is the Even favourite to claim the World Championship outright and two-time winner Mark Williams is 17/4 to land the top prize in Sheffield.
Snooker odds available at Dafabet.