Hill and Gilbert set up Judgement rematch

Aaron Hill and David Gilbert scored World Championship qualifying wins to book a repeat Judgement Day showdown following a pulsating meeting 12 months ago. 

Hill moved one win away from a Crucible debut after a 10-3 win over Yao Pengchang. A burst of four consecutive frames this evening, which included back-to-back century runs of 133 and 137, saw him over the line. 

The Irishman suffered an agonising 10-9 loss to Gilbert last year, having led 7-3 and 9-7. Hill believes he can use that experience to his benefit, when he faces Gilbert, who defeated Leone Crowley 10-3 to secure his slot. 

“It was difficult to take, but I’m going to use it as a bit of a force for this year. Hopefully I learn from it and I don’t make the same mistakes as last year,” said 24-year-old Hill. 

“I learned that having a lead means nothing! You just have to keep plowing on, one frame at a time. I don’t care if I’m 9-0 up or 9-0 behind, I will still be battling to win the next frame. I’m so pleased to be through to another Judgement Day. It was a great buzz around that match last year.

“I’ll try my best not to think of last year. It doesn’t matter who you have on Judgement Day, you will need to play well. If I do then I fancy my chances. If I don’t then Dave will punish me as he is a top class player. Hopefully karma is a real thing and it might be on my side this year. 

“Last year is probably the best thing that could have happened to me. I gained experience and strength and brought it with me to this season.”

Belgian Julien Leclecq took a massive step towards tour survival with a 10-7 win over Yorkshireman Ashley Hugill. 

Leclercq knew he had to win to avoid relegation from the circuit and he showed great character to get over the line. Having led 9-4, he was pegged back to 9-7 before taking the 17th on the colours. That earns him a third round clash with two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter. 

Leclercq said: “It means a lot to me. I had to win to stay on the tour. I’m so happy to have got the result. I was thinking it was going to go 9-8 as I missed a few chances in the frame before. I’m looking forward to playing Ali. All the pressure is off now.

“I knew at 9-4 the match wasn’t over and he started to play well. I can enjoy it now and relax. It will be the first time I’ve played Ali and I can’t wait for the game.”

There were crushing wins on the two main tables this evening for Hossein Vafaei and Stuart Bingham. Iran’s Vafaei eased to a 10-2 defeat of Polish 15-year-old Michal Szubarczyk, while 2015 World Champion Bingham was a 10-2 victor against Wang Xinbo. 

RESULTS

SECOND ROUND: Long Zehuang (Chn) bt Fergal Quinn (Eng) 10-2; Oliver Lines (Eng) Mark Llyod (Eng) 10-2; Fan Zhengyi (Chn) bt Lan Yuhao (Chn) 10-3; Martin O’Donnell (Eng) bt Zhao Hanyang (Chn) 10-5; Liam Highfield (Eng) bt Wang Yuchen (Chn) 10-4; Umut Dikme (Ger) bt Sam Craige (Eng) 10-9; Julien Leclercg (Ger) bt Ashley Hugill (Eng) 10-7

THIRD ROUND: Matthew Stevens (Wal) bt Peter Lines (Eng) 10-8; Stuart Bingham (Eng) bt Wang Xinbo (Chn) 10-2; Gao Yang (Chn) bt Tom Ford (Eng) 10-8; Aaron Hill (Ire) bt Yao Pengcheng (Chn) 10-3; Hossein Vafaei (Egy) bt Michel Szubarczyk (Pol) 10-2; David Gilbert (Eng) bt Leone Crowley (Ire) 10-3; Zhou Yuelong (Chn) bt Robbie McGuigan (Ire) 10-3; Michael Holt (Eng) bt Daniel Wells (Ire) 10-5;