Kettering's Kyren all set for a crucial final session

Kyren Wilson will bid to seal a place in the Betfred World Championship semi-finals at the Crucible this morning (Wednesday).

The Kettering ace battled back last night after trailing World No.3 Neil Robertson 5-3 after the first session of their quarter-final clash yesterday morning to ensure the two players resume all-square at 8-8 in the best of 25 frames contest.

In the opening frame last night, Robertson made a 30 clearance to take it to a respotted black, but then misjudged a safety shot and left the black over a baulk corner, allowing Wilson to pot it to trail just 5-4. Robertson won the next in three scoring visits to regain his two-frame lead.

Frame 11 came down to the last red and Wilson, leading 60-37, converted an excellent long pot and added the blue, which proved enough. A run of 60 in the 12th helped the World No.6 square the match at 6-6 at the interval.

Early in frame 13, Wilson potted a long red but then missed the green to a baulk corner, and his opponent punished him with a superb 126.

Robertson looked to be heading for an 8-6 advantage until he missed the black off its spot on 50. He was later trapped in a snooker on the last red and handed Wilson the chance to clear for 7-7.

A break of 53 in the 15th frame gave Wilson the lead for the first time in the match but Robertson ensured parity with a break of 66 in the final frame of the session.

The match resumes at 10am this morning with the first player to reach 13 frames securing a spot in the last four.