Kettering's Kyren still in control ahead of a pivotal day

Kettering's Kyren Wilson will take a 10-6 lead into the final two sessions of his Betfred World Snooker Championship semi-final against Shaun Murphy today (Saturday).

Wilson led 6-2 overnight on Thursday and shared the eight frames during yesterday's (Friday single session, but may regret missing chances to open up a bigger lead.

The match resumes at 10am this morning for eight more frames before they play to a finish from 7pm this evening with the first to 17 going on to play either Mark Selby or Stuart Bingham in the final.

Kettering’s Wilson is looking to reach the Crucible final for the second consecutive year having finished runner-up to Ronnie O’Sullivan last season.

Murphy, who grew up in Irthlingborough and who lifted the trophy in 2005, is aiming for his fourth Sheffield final and first since 2015.

World number six Wilson took the opening frame yesterday with a break of 69 to lead 7-2. In the next, he trailed 35-15 when he was trapped in a tough snooker behind the blue, and gave away 53 points in fouls, which handed Murphy the frame.

A run of 52 helped Wilson take frame 11, then Murphy, who is now based in Dublin, hit back with an 88 for 8-4. Wilson took the 13th with a break of 60, then made a 131 – the 97th century of the tournament – to lead 10-4.

In the 15th, Murphy led 59-18 when he missed the penultimate red to a top corner, playing with the rest. The balls were at Wilson’s mercy but he failed to pot his first red to the same corner, allowing his opponent to narrow the gap.

Wilson had first chance in the last frame of the session and made 46 before running out of position. A safety exchange ended with a tremendous long red from Murphy, leading to a superb 86 clearance.