Category: Snooker

Morning folks! Here we go with day 15 of the 2024 World Snooker Championship. Today we’ll be sorting out the identity of the two finalists, and we’ll start with the resumption of a match that’s tighter than two coats of paint. It’s Stuart Bingham against Jak Jones, and it’s locked at 8-8.

What a day this should be. The Premier League’s greatest ever player has been enjoying the semi-finals so far too.

Ronnie O’Sullivan provided an insight into competing at the highest level, with it being a balance of playing the opponent and the table.

O’Sullivan is viewed by the majority as the greatest player to pick up a cue, and has seven world titles on his glittering CV.

The World Championship has reached the semi-final stage, with Bingham facing Jak Jones and Kyren Wilson taking on David Gilbert.

The matches are tight, and pressure will ramp up as the winning line approaches.

When asked in the Eurosport studio if you are playing the balls or the opponent, O’Sullivan replied: “A bit of both.

“Some players you know if you play a certain style that you stand up to them it can affect them.”

All times GMT

• Stuart Bingham 8-8 Jak Jones

• Kyren Wilson 14-10 David Gilbert

• Stuart Bingham 8-8 Jak Jones

He must be in a hurry because Wilson has just pot two reds at once to get us going. And that’s opened up the table too.

Frame nine, 17 the target for a place in the final. Let’s go.

‘It’s a massive opportunity for the semi-finalists,” the seven-time champion says. “Especially the three who haven’t won it (Bingham took the title in 2015).’

‘But Bingham just loves snooker, and that gives him a huge advantage.’

Hello and welcome to our live-text coverage of the World Snooker Championship semi-finals!

We’re neck and neck in both matches after one session, with David Gilbert and Kyren Wilson tied at 4-4, with Jak Jones and Stuart Bingham sharing the same scoreline.

First up today is the second session of GIlbert and Wilson, so stay with us for all the build-up, hype and highlights as the boys head to the baize at 10am.

Wilson took the opening frame and looked strong, but Gilbert refused go away and produced some excellent play of his own.

The pair resume at 4-4 on Friday.

A third century of the match for Gilbert! His ninth at the crucible this year.

We’ll be back in a bit with the second session of Bingham versus Jones, with these two playing until the end this evening.

Massive cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. These two have treated the crowd to a fabulous match.

A tale as old as time (as old as this session), as Wilson makes a mess of an easy blue and lets Gilbert back in! Gilbert reels of five reds in no time including a marvellous one from distance, setting up a great chance to level this match yet again.

That’s a nasty miss. Groans from the crowd as Gilbert rattles the jaws of the bottom left pocket with a red. Wilson takes it for himself and gets things started in the 16th and final frame of the session.

Wilson takes the lead for the third time in this session. Can he make it two?

Wilson has frozen Gilbert out of this frame and now he’s just getting some potting practice in with the colours.

It’s a fine match. Wilson with yet another peach of a long red gets him back among the balls. Can he get frame ball here? Yes he can.

Gasps from the crowd as Wilson whacks in a red. But they know as well as he does that he’s lost position and has to go safe. He rolls up behind the brown and Gilbert will have a go.

A lightning start from Wilson who has hardly missed a long pot today. These frames are racing by, averaging under 15 minutes each.

These two are combing to produce a tremendous spectacle in this semi-final. Gilbert falls agonisingly short of a month century with a run of 96, but it’s a terrific break all the same.

Gilbert absolutely racing through this. He’s no interest in letting Wilson back to the table. He’s definitely getting the lion’s share of the applause as he does so too, people want this one to stay tight.

Here we go again! Gilbert plays a beautiful shot to get into this frame with a red to left middle. Fantastic. Wilson just cannot shake him off.

Wilson makes the most of that stroke of fortune and takes the lead again.

Another bit of bad luck for Gilbert! He misses a long red to bottom left and the cue ball pings in instead. Four points for Wilson, who could polish off the frame from here.

Wilson has plenty of trouble splitting the pack before the interval but he cannons them nicely here. But that’s unlucky, the white pulls up behind the black blocking off his best options. He needs a difficult red to bottom right but he overcuts it completely. The brown comes to his rescue with an incredibly fortunate snooker that leaves Gilbert baffled.

While we are official underway, neither player can get a look in here. A masterful exchange of safeties. But does Wilson see an opening? Yes!

We’re back underway! Can anything separate these two?

A brilliant run of 129 to level the match. We’re honours even at the mid-session interval. See you shortly.

There it is! The first century of the session and Gilbert’s eighth of the tournament.

Big cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. He’s played brilliantly here to once again reel Wilson back in. Can he get a century for good measure?

Rumblings from the crowd as the pink just about slips in, but Gilbert at his best here racing around the table. He has to be careful here though with five reds still bunched together. Get this right and that should be the frame. Excellent, he plays it so well and breaks up the remaining bunch too.

Gilbert eases a red into the left middle when it looked like there was nothing on.

Wilson regains the lead after a hard-fought frame that he should’ve won 15 minutes ago were it not for a very bad blue. He steals the frame back.

Wilson finally breaks the deadlock on the yellow with another stellar long pot. The green looks good but the brown is all tied up against the top cushion. He plays a great shot to get position but it’s still hard. Can he squeeze it in? Yes, excellent shot.

Gilbert cleans up all the reds, gets himself into the lead, then misses the yellow! Luckily he’s not left it on for Wilson. Both players look a bit agitated with distractions in the arena – lots of phones going off. Wilson goes safe on the yellow and gives Gilbert plenty of work to do with a smart snooker.

Gilbert hammers the pack. No nonsense, and it’s a marvellous shot. He could win the frame from here. Wilson’s blunder on the blue there adds to his mistake on the pink in the last frame. He rarely makes these kinds of mistakes.

Can Wilson split the pack? Sort of. He gets half of them away but forces himself into taking another long red on. Luckily he’s really good at those. Plenty of work to be done here though. He tries to force a few more reds of out of the bunch but only manages to skim too out the pack. Wow! He misses a routine blue by a mile. Can Gilbert steal this now? He makes a good start with a red.

Bang. A brilliant long pot from Wilson gets us underway in the 11th frame.

Gilbert levels things up after an eventful frame full of errors. These two just can’t be separated.

Gilbert needs this red for frame ball. Sinks it. Wilson will be kicking himself after missing that easy pink. He could’ve forged a two-frame lead or the first time in this final but it wasn’t to be and now Gilbert is heading level.

A terrific pot from Gilbert that breaks the safety impasse. And the brown is up for grabs too.

Gilbert sinks a tricky red but runs out of position. The two exchange very good safeties and we’re locked in at the top of the table.

Reprieve for Gilbert and Wilson hits a pink very thick. That was an easy one and he’s nowhere near.

Wilson sinks a terrific long red but once again he cannot get into the pack. Luckily he has options this time. That’s better. Cracks them open and gives himself position on the pink too. That goes!

A long yellow eludes Gilbert and to make matters worse, it pings into a red and gives Wilson a way back in. He tries to plough into the bunch but it’s a terrible shot and somehow he misses the entire pack. He tries again now as he sinks the yellow, but barely shaves the reds this time with another poor shot. That was a big opportunity to get into this frame but he’s misses it.

Gilbert was out of his chair as Wilson misses a long red, but the red bounces off the top cushion and slowly falls into the bottom right pocket. Lucky stuff. There ar eno colours so he goes safe, but not safe enough as Gilbert sinks an impressive long red for his first ball of the session. But again, few colours to choose from.

Wilson gets some polite applause for frame ball, sinks another red, but almost loses position on the pink. No bother, it goes. The next red rattles the jaws but Gilbert concedes. Great start for Wilson who takes the frame in one visit.

Wilson could make a flying start here. He’s 32 up in no time with some aggressive early snooker. He takes on a risky red and long green and now things look very good for the former finalist. Still some work to do with two tricky reds but this is good start to Wilson’s morning.

He must be in a hurry because Wilson has just pot two reds at once to get us going. And that’s opened up the table too.

Frame nine, 17 the target for a place in the final. Let’s go.

‘It’s a massive opportunity for the semi-finalists,” the seven-time champion says. “Especially the three who haven’t won it (Bingham took the title in 2015).’

‘But Bingham just loves snooker, and that gives him a huge advantage.’

Hello and welcome to our live-text coverage of the World Snooker Championship semi-finals!

We’re neck and neck in both matches after one session, with David Gilbert and Kyren Wilson tied at 4-4, with Jak Jones and Stuart Bingham sharing the same scoreline.

First up today is the second session of GIlbert and Wilson, so stay with us for all the build-up, hype and highlights as the boys head to the baize at 10am.

Wilson took the opening frame and looked strong, but Gilbert refused go away and produced some excellent play of his own.

The pair resume at 4-4 on Friday.

Bingham goes for a long red. Well off the potting angle with that one, but doesn’t leave an easy starter for Jones. And then another long red eludes the former Masters winner. Jones reacts by picking out a tough cut on a red to left middle before he knocks in an excellent black on the stretch. Chance for Jones to get moving on the scoreboard, but he breaks down fairly quickly as a red to yellow bag eludes him.

Jones first to the punch in this 11th frame of the semi-final with a decent long red wriggling home, but not much else to follow as he is forced to declare on 11 with a red failing to drop in the right centre bag.

Career century 584 from Bingham as the brown disappears with the extended rest. Superb break of 107 from Stuart, and he moves 6-4 clear. Making some moves at the Crucible.

Bingham playing at 19 seconds a shot now. The Usain Bolt of the snooker balls. Really is a delight to watch when he is in the mood. Could be a ton on the way for the Ball Run.

Not many better break-builders in snooker than Stuart. Another superb cannon on the pink, and all those reds are wide open now. Looks a formality for a 6-4 lead for Bingham.

Stuart really has got that cue arm working, while Jak hasn’t potted a ball for half an hour or so. Which is just what Bingham will be looking to do. Keep the other player sitting in his seat. And on he goes here. Looking very promising for another big break.

Jak opts to push the boat out by going for a plant on reds. Plant fails to drop, and he also can’t get the white back up to baulk. Which isn’t good news. Another opportunity presented to Bingham. Which is dangerous when he is in such a prolific scoring mood.

Bit of an error from Jak as he fails to connect with the right red from distance to leave Stuart with a mid-range red to attack. Another opening for the 2015 world champion, but he misses the brown off spot and doesn’t end up landing on a red. Good run of the ball for the Ball Run.

Bingham trying to be very aggressive in his shot selection. Wants to get those reds opened as much as possible. Jones with more of a measured approach to all matters tactical.

No century for Stuart, but no matter. A fine opening run of 79 by the Basildon player to move 5-4 clear in the marathon run to 17 frames. Just another 12 of those required for the ‘Ball Run’.

This looks like a very impressive statement of intent by Bingham, who has got the reds opened up ASAP and is looking to plough on here by putting frame to bed in this visit. Such a heavy scorer Bingham when he is in the mood. And motors along at a fine speed too.

A lovely long red by Stuart is nailed with some interest. But not the best of kisses on the black. Screws off the black in potting green, and brings white back to the top end of the table. Decent chance here with black also hovering near a centre bag. Positive start by Stuart.

A tasty little safety battle is underway here at the outset of this session. Eight frames to get through this avo with eight more tomorrow morning and a possible nine (if needed) tomorrow night. Jones makes a blunder by leaving a red over a top bag, but Bingham can’t swing the black around the back of the black. Just the safety to follow.

‘The Pride of Essex’ Stuart ‘Ball Run’ Bingham is out in the arena. Ready to rock and roll. Jones with the break-off shot. Bingham full of smiles today. Jones is nicknamed ‘The Silent Assassin’. Perhaps he is up against ‘The Smiling Assassin’ today.

A third century of the match for Gilbert! His ninth at the crucible this year.

We’ll be back in a bit with the second session of Bingham versus Jones, with these two playing until the end this evening.

Massive cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. These two have treated the crowd to a fabulous match.

A tale as old as time (as old as this session), as Wilson makes a mess of an easy blue and lets Gilbert back in! Gilbert reels of five reds in no time including a marvellous one from distance, setting up a great chance to level this match yet again.

That’s a nasty miss. Groans from the crowd as Gilbert rattles the jaws of the bottom left pocket with a red. Wilson takes it for himself and gets things started in the 16th and final frame of the session.

Wilson takes the lead for the third time in this session. Can he make it two?

Wilson has frozen Gilbert out of this frame and now he’s just getting some potting practice in with the colours.

It’s a fine match. Wilson with yet another peach of a long red gets him back among the balls. Can he get frame ball here? Yes he can.

Gasps from the crowd as Wilson whacks in a red. But they know as well as he does that he’s lost position and has to go safe. He rolls up behind the brown and Gilbert will have a go.

A lightning start from Wilson who has hardly missed a long pot today. These frames are racing by, averaging under 15 minutes each.

These two are combing to produce a tremendous spectacle in this semi-final. Gilbert falls agonisingly short of a month century with a run of 96, but it’s a terrific break all the same.

Gilbert absolutely racing through this. He’s no interest in letting Wilson back to the table. He’s definitely getting the lion’s share of the applause as he does so too, people want this one to stay tight.

Here we go again! Gilbert plays a beautiful shot to get into this frame with a red to left middle. Fantastic. Wilson just cannot shake him off.

Wilson makes the most of that stroke of fortune and takes the lead again.

Another bit of bad luck for Gilbert! He misses a long red to bottom left and the cue ball pings in instead. Four points for Wilson, who could polish off the frame from here.

Wilson has plenty of trouble splitting the pack before the interval but he cannons them nicely here. But that’s unlucky, the white pulls up behind the black blocking off his best options. He needs a difficult red to bottom right but he overcuts it completely. The brown comes to his rescue with an incredibly fortunate snooker that leaves Gilbert baffled.

While we are official underway, neither player can get a look in here. A masterful exchange of safeties. But does Wilson see an opening? Yes!

We’re back underway! Can anything separate these two?

A brilliant run of 129 to level the match. We’re honours even at the mid-session interval. See you shortly.

There it is! The first century of the session and Gilbert’s eighth of the tournament.

Big cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. He’s played brilliantly here to once again reel Wilson back in. Can he get a century for good measure?

Rumblings from the crowd as the pink just about slips in, but Gilbert at his best here racing around the table. He has to be careful here though with five reds still bunched together. Get this right and that should be the frame. Excellent, he plays it so well and breaks up the remaining bunch too.

Gilbert eases a red into the left middle when it looked like there was nothing on.

Wilson regains the lead after a hard-fought frame that he should’ve won 15 minutes ago were it not for a very bad blue. He steals the frame back.

Wilson finally breaks the deadlock on the yellow with another stellar long pot. The green looks good but the brown is all tied up against the top cushion. He plays a great shot to get position but it’s still hard. Can he squeeze it in? Yes, excellent shot.

Gilbert cleans up all the reds, gets himself into the lead, then misses the yellow! Luckily he’s not left it on for Wilson. Both players look a bit agitated with distractions in the arena – lots of phones going off. Wilson goes safe on the yellow and gives Gilbert plenty of work to do with a smart snooker.

Gilbert hammers the pack. No nonsense, and it’s a marvellous shot. He could win the frame from here. Wilson’s blunder on the blue there adds to his mistake on the pink in the last frame. He rarely makes these kinds of mistakes.

Can Wilson split the pack? Sort of. He gets half of them away but forces himself into taking another long red on. Luckily he’s really good at those. Plenty of work to be done here though. He tries to force a few more reds of out of the bunch but only manages to skim too out the pack. Wow! He misses a routine blue by a mile. Can Gilbert steal this now? He makes a good start with a red.

Bang. A brilliant long pot from Wilson gets us underway in the 11th frame.

Gilbert levels things up after an eventful frame full of errors. These two just can’t be separated.

Gilbert needs this red for frame ball. Sinks it. Wilson will be kicking himself after missing that easy pink. He could’ve forged a two-frame lead or the first time in this final but it wasn’t to be and now Gilbert is heading level.

A terrific pot from Gilbert that breaks the safety impasse. And the brown is up for grabs too.

Gilbert sinks a tricky red but runs out of position. The two exchange very good safeties and we’re locked in at the top of the table.

Reprieve for Gilbert and Wilson hits a pink very thick. That was an easy one and he’s nowhere near.

Wilson sinks a terrific long red but once again he cannot get into the pack. Luckily he has options this time. That’s better. Cracks them open and gives himself position on the pink too. That goes!

A long yellow eludes Gilbert and to make matters worse, it pings into a red and gives Wilson a way back in. He tries to plough into the bunch but it’s a terrible shot and somehow he misses the entire pack. He tries again now as he sinks the yellow, but barely shaves the reds this time with another poor shot. That was a big opportunity to get into this frame but he’s misses it.

Gilbert was out of his chair as Wilson misses a long red, but the red bounces off the top cushion and slowly falls into the bottom right pocket. Lucky stuff. There ar eno colours so he goes safe, but not safe enough as Gilbert sinks an impressive long red for his first ball of the session. But again, few colours to choose from.

Wilson gets some polite applause for frame ball, sinks another red, but almost loses position on the pink. No bother, it goes. The next red rattles the jaws but Gilbert concedes. Great start for Wilson who takes the frame in one visit.

Wilson could make a flying start here. He’s 32 up in no time with some aggressive early snooker. He takes on a risky red and long green and now things look very good for the former finalist. Still some work to do with two tricky reds but this is good start to Wilson’s morning.

He must be in a hurry because Wilson has just pot two reds at once to get us going. And that’s opened up the table too.

Frame nine, 17 the target for a place in the final. Let’s go.

‘It’s a massive opportunity for the semi-finalists,” the seven-time champion says. “Especially the three who haven’t won it (Bingham took the title in 2015).’

‘But Bingham just loves snooker, and that gives him a huge advantage.’

Hello and welcome to our live-text coverage of the World Snooker Championship semi-finals!

We’re neck and neck in both matches after one session, with David Gilbert and Kyren Wilson tied at 4-4, with Jak Jones and Stuart Bingham sharing the same scoreline.

First up today is the second session of GIlbert and Wilson, so stay with us for all the build-up, hype and highlights as the boys head to the baize at 10am.

Wilson took the opening frame and looked strong, but Gilbert refused go away and produced some excellent play of his own.

The pair resume at 4-4 on Friday.

A 67 break from Jones is more than good enough to restore parity at 6-6 as they head for a mid-session interval. Bingham missing a trick when he went 6-4 clear.

Looks like that missed black is going to prove very costly for Stuart as Jones opens up the pack of reds seconds later. Glorious chance to get this frame won here. Nothing really safe on this table. Like a training exercise with reds lined up for potting.

Jones with a corking long red straight off the bar in the 12th frame with white tight on baulk cushion, but then misses a pink to left centre. Bingham with chance to reassert himself, but he breaks down as a tough cut on a black fails to drop down the hole.

Bingham can’t escape from a snooker, and he has seen enough of that frame. Just shy of 30 minutes, but Jones back to within one frame trailing 6-5. Jones a lot more comfortable when the frames go scrappy.

Bingham tries to drop in a mid-range red, but it sticks in the jaws of the green bag. Hasn’t been missing many of those. Jones slots red, and gets a lucky kiss in potting the pink off the black. A lead of 37 points for Jak with a possible 35 left up. Timely fluke for Jones, who leaves Bingham chasing a snooker.

Just can’t keep hold of the white at the key moment and ends up missing a mid-range red. That is disappointing for Jak. But he is still a strong favourite with three reds near side cushions. Bingham gets within 30 points of Jones before a double on a red stays out. Two reds left on table.

Jones slides in a long red to regain access to the table. Cant get the pack open off the blue, and doesn’t make a great go of it. Then ends up missing the reds in holing the green. White drops down a top pocket, but Bingham can’t drain a long red. Hit at the white with plenty of pace, but red bounces back out. Could cost him the frame with Jones handed another simple red to get started.

Bingham goes for a long red. Well off the potting angle with that one, but doesn’t leave an easy starter for Jones. And then another long red eludes the former Masters winner. Jones reacts by picking out a tough cut on a red to left middle before he knocks in an excellent black on the stretch. Chance for Jones to get moving on the scoreboard, but he breaks down fairly quickly as a red to yellow bag eludes him.

Jones first to the punch in this 11th frame of the semi-final with a decent long red wriggling home, but not much else to follow as he is forced to declare on 11 with a red failing to drop in the right centre bag.

Career century 584 from Bingham as the brown disappears with the extended rest. Superb break of 107 from Stuart, and he moves 6-4 clear. Making some moves at the Crucible.

Bingham playing at 19 seconds a shot now. The Usain Bolt of the snooker balls. Really is a delight to watch when he is in the mood. Could be a ton on the way for the Ball Run.

Not many better break-builders in snooker than Stuart. Another superb cannon on the pink, and all those reds are wide open now. Looks a formality for a 6-4 lead for Bingham.

Stuart really has got that cue arm working, while Jak hasn’t potted a ball for half an hour or so. Which is just what Bingham will be looking to do. Keep the other player sitting in his seat. And on he goes here. Looking very promising for another big break.

Jak opts to push the boat out by going for a plant on reds. Plant fails to drop, and he also can’t get the white back up to baulk. Which isn’t good news. Another opportunity presented to Bingham. Which is dangerous when he is in such a prolific scoring mood.

Bit of an error from Jak as he fails to connect with the right red from distance to leave Stuart with a mid-range red to attack. Another opening for the 2015 world champion, but he misses the brown off spot and doesn’t end up landing on a red. Good run of the ball for the Ball Run.

Bingham trying to be very aggressive in his shot selection. Wants to get those reds opened as much as possible. Jones with more of a measured approach to all matters tactical.

No century for Stuart, but no matter. A fine opening run of 79 by the Basildon player to move 5-4 clear in the marathon run to 17 frames. Just another 12 of those required for the ‘Ball Run’.

This looks like a very impressive statement of intent by Bingham, who has got the reds opened up ASAP and is looking to plough on here by putting frame to bed in this visit. Such a heavy scorer Bingham when he is in the mood. And motors along at a fine speed too.

A lovely long red by Stuart is nailed with some interest. But not the best of kisses on the black. Screws off the black in potting green, and brings white back to the top end of the table. Decent chance here with black also hovering near a centre bag. Positive start by Stuart.

A tasty little safety battle is underway here at the outset of this session. Eight frames to get through this avo with eight more tomorrow morning and a possible nine (if needed) tomorrow night. Jones makes a blunder by leaving a red over a top bag, but Bingham can’t swing the black around the back of the black. Just the safety to follow.

‘The Pride of Essex’ Stuart ‘Ball Run’ Bingham is out in the arena. Ready to rock and roll. Jones with the break-off shot. Bingham full of smiles today. Jones is nicknamed ‘The Silent Assassin’. Perhaps he is up against ‘The Smiling Assassin’ today.

A third century of the match for Gilbert! His ninth at the crucible this year.

We’ll be back in a bit with the second session of Bingham versus Jones, with these two playing until the end this evening.

Massive cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. These two have treated the crowd to a fabulous match.

A tale as old as time (as old as this session), as Wilson makes a mess of an easy blue and lets Gilbert back in! Gilbert reels of five reds in no time including a marvellous one from distance, setting up a great chance to level this match yet again.

That’s a nasty miss. Groans from the crowd as Gilbert rattles the jaws of the bottom left pocket with a red. Wilson takes it for himself and gets things started in the 16th and final frame of the session.

Wilson takes the lead for the third time in this session. Can he make it two?

Wilson has frozen Gilbert out of this frame and now he’s just getting some potting practice in with the colours.

It’s a fine match. Wilson with yet another peach of a long red gets him back among the balls. Can he get frame ball here? Yes he can.

Gasps from the crowd as Wilson whacks in a red. But they know as well as he does that he’s lost position and has to go safe. He rolls up behind the brown and Gilbert will have a go.

A lightning start from Wilson who has hardly missed a long pot today. These frames are racing by, averaging under 15 minutes each.

These two are combing to produce a tremendous spectacle in this semi-final. Gilbert falls agonisingly short of a month century with a run of 96, but it’s a terrific break all the same.

Gilbert absolutely racing through this. He’s no interest in letting Wilson back to the table. He’s definitely getting the lion’s share of the applause as he does so too, people want this one to stay tight.

Here we go again! Gilbert plays a beautiful shot to get into this frame with a red to left middle. Fantastic. Wilson just cannot shake him off.

Wilson makes the most of that stroke of fortune and takes the lead again.

Another bit of bad luck for Gilbert! He misses a long red to bottom left and the cue ball pings in instead. Four points for Wilson, who could polish off the frame from here.

Wilson has plenty of trouble splitting the pack before the interval but he cannons them nicely here. But that’s unlucky, the white pulls up behind the black blocking off his best options. He needs a difficult red to bottom right but he overcuts it completely. The brown comes to his rescue with an incredibly fortunate snooker that leaves Gilbert baffled.

While we are official underway, neither player can get a look in here. A masterful exchange of safeties. But does Wilson see an opening? Yes!

We’re back underway! Can anything separate these two?

A brilliant run of 129 to level the match. We’re honours even at the mid-session interval. See you shortly.

There it is! The first century of the session and Gilbert’s eighth of the tournament.

Big cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. He’s played brilliantly here to once again reel Wilson back in. Can he get a century for good measure?

Rumblings from the crowd as the pink just about slips in, but Gilbert at his best here racing around the table. He has to be careful here though with five reds still bunched together. Get this right and that should be the frame. Excellent, he plays it so well and breaks up the remaining bunch too.

Gilbert eases a red into the left middle when it looked like there was nothing on.

Wilson regains the lead after a hard-fought frame that he should’ve won 15 minutes ago were it not for a very bad blue. He steals the frame back.

Wilson finally breaks the deadlock on the yellow with another stellar long pot. The green looks good but the brown is all tied up against the top cushion. He plays a great shot to get position but it’s still hard. Can he squeeze it in? Yes, excellent shot.

Gilbert cleans up all the reds, gets himself into the lead, then misses the yellow! Luckily he’s not left it on for Wilson. Both players look a bit agitated with distractions in the arena – lots of phones going off. Wilson goes safe on the yellow and gives Gilbert plenty of work to do with a smart snooker.

Gilbert hammers the pack. No nonsense, and it’s a marvellous shot. He could win the frame from here. Wilson’s blunder on the blue there adds to his mistake on the pink in the last frame. He rarely makes these kinds of mistakes.

Can Wilson split the pack? Sort of. He gets half of them away but forces himself into taking another long red on. Luckily he’s really good at those. Plenty of work to be done here though. He tries to force a few more reds of out of the bunch but only manages to skim too out the pack. Wow! He misses a routine blue by a mile. Can Gilbert steal this now? He makes a good start with a red.

Bang. A brilliant long pot from Wilson gets us underway in the 11th frame.

Gilbert levels things up after an eventful frame full of errors. These two just can’t be separated.

Gilbert needs this red for frame ball. Sinks it. Wilson will be kicking himself after missing that easy pink. He could’ve forged a two-frame lead or the first time in this final but it wasn’t to be and now Gilbert is heading level.

A terrific pot from Gilbert that breaks the safety impasse. And the brown is up for grabs too.

Gilbert sinks a tricky red but runs out of position. The two exchange very good safeties and we’re locked in at the top of the table.

Reprieve for Gilbert and Wilson hits a pink very thick. That was an easy one and he’s nowhere near.

Wilson sinks a terrific long red but once again he cannot get into the pack. Luckily he has options this time. That’s better. Cracks them open and gives himself position on the pink too. That goes!

A long yellow eludes Gilbert and to make matters worse, it pings into a red and gives Wilson a way back in. He tries to plough into the bunch but it’s a terrible shot and somehow he misses the entire pack. He tries again now as he sinks the yellow, but barely shaves the reds this time with another poor shot. That was a big opportunity to get into this frame but he’s misses it.

Gilbert was out of his chair as Wilson misses a long red, but the red bounces off the top cushion and slowly falls into the bottom right pocket. Lucky stuff. There ar eno colours so he goes safe, but not safe enough as Gilbert sinks an impressive long red for his first ball of the session. But again, few colours to choose from.

Wilson gets some polite applause for frame ball, sinks another red, but almost loses position on the pink. No bother, it goes. The next red rattles the jaws but Gilbert concedes. Great start for Wilson who takes the frame in one visit.

Wilson could make a flying start here. He’s 32 up in no time with some aggressive early snooker. He takes on a risky red and long green and now things look very good for the former finalist. Still some work to do with two tricky reds but this is good start to Wilson’s morning.

He must be in a hurry because Wilson has just pot two reds at once to get us going. And that’s opened up the table too.

Frame nine, 17 the target for a place in the final. Let’s go.

‘It’s a massive opportunity for the semi-finalists,” the seven-time champion says. “Especially the three who haven’t won it (Bingham took the title in 2015).’

‘But Bingham just loves snooker, and that gives him a huge advantage.’

Hello and welcome to our live-text coverage of the World Snooker Championship semi-finals!

We’re neck and neck in both matches after one session, with David Gilbert and Kyren Wilson tied at 4-4, with Jak Jones and Stuart Bingham sharing the same scoreline.

First up today is the second session of GIlbert and Wilson, so stay with us for all the build-up, hype and highlights as the boys head to the baize at 10am.

Wilson took the opening frame and looked strong, but Gilbert refused go away and produced some excellent play of his own.

The pair resume at 4-4 on Friday.

Not sure Bingham wants to get bogged down in long, protracted bouts of safety play, but that seems to be the direction of travel in this frame. Table looks very messy as Jones can only make six before breaking down.

A fine break of 68 from Jones before a black off the spot stays out. Bingham suddenly chasing three snookers in this frame. He hasn’t potted a ball for 24 minutes so worth getting out of your seat to get the cue arm working. But he misses the pink after slotting a red. And that will be enough. Jones ahead for first time in this match leading 7-6.

What a pot on a red that is from Jones as he buries a tough red to the green bag from the top end of the table. Didn’t touch the sides, and this is a glorious chance to build a decent lead in this 13th frame. Once again, plenty of red balls in the open to attack. Moves quickly to 42.

A 67 break from Jones is more than good enough to restore parity at 6-6 as they head for a mid-session interval. Bingham missing a trick when he went 6-4 clear.

Looks like that missed black is going to prove very costly for Stuart as Jones opens up the pack of reds seconds later. Glorious chance to get this frame won here. Nothing really safe on this table. Like a training exercise with reds lined up for potting.

Jones with a corking long red straight off the bar in the 12th frame with white tight on baulk cushion, but then misses a pink to left centre. Bingham with chance to reassert himself, but he breaks down as a tough cut on a black fails to drop down the hole.

Bingham can’t escape from a snooker, and he has seen enough of that frame. Just shy of 30 minutes, but Jones back to within one frame trailing 6-5. Jones a lot more comfortable when the frames go scrappy.

Bingham tries to drop in a mid-range red, but it sticks in the jaws of the green bag. Hasn’t been missing many of those. Jones slots red, and gets a lucky kiss in potting the pink off the black. A lead of 37 points for Jak with a possible 35 left up. Timely fluke for Jones, who leaves Bingham chasing a snooker.

Just can’t keep hold of the white at the key moment and ends up missing a mid-range red. That is disappointing for Jak. But he is still a strong favourite with three reds near side cushions. Bingham gets within 30 points of Jones before a double on a red stays out. Two reds left on table.

Jones slides in a long red to regain access to the table. Cant get the pack open off the blue, and doesn’t make a great go of it. Then ends up missing the reds in holing the green. White drops down a top pocket, but Bingham can’t drain a long red. Hit at the white with plenty of pace, but red bounces back out. Could cost him the frame with Jones handed another simple red to get started.

Bingham goes for a long red. Well off the potting angle with that one, but doesn’t leave an easy starter for Jones. And then another long red eludes the former Masters winner. Jones reacts by picking out a tough cut on a red to left middle before he knocks in an excellent black on the stretch. Chance for Jones to get moving on the scoreboard, but he breaks down fairly quickly as a red to yellow bag eludes him.

Jones first to the punch in this 11th frame of the semi-final with a decent long red wriggling home, but not much else to follow as he is forced to declare on 11 with a red failing to drop in the right centre bag.

Career century 584 from Bingham as the brown disappears with the extended rest. Superb break of 107 from Stuart, and he moves 6-4 clear. Making some moves at the Crucible.

Bingham playing at 19 seconds a shot now. The Usain Bolt of the snooker balls. Really is a delight to watch when he is in the mood. Could be a ton on the way for the Ball Run.

Not many better break-builders in snooker than Stuart. Another superb cannon on the pink, and all those reds are wide open now. Looks a formality for a 6-4 lead for Bingham.

Stuart really has got that cue arm working, while Jak hasn’t potted a ball for half an hour or so. Which is just what Bingham will be looking to do. Keep the other player sitting in his seat. And on he goes here. Looking very promising for another big break.

Jak opts to push the boat out by going for a plant on reds. Plant fails to drop, and he also can’t get the white back up to baulk. Which isn’t good news. Another opportunity presented to Bingham. Which is dangerous when he is in such a prolific scoring mood.

Bit of an error from Jak as he fails to connect with the right red from distance to leave Stuart with a mid-range red to attack. Another opening for the 2015 world champion, but he misses the brown off spot and doesn’t end up landing on a red. Good run of the ball for the Ball Run.

Bingham trying to be very aggressive in his shot selection. Wants to get those reds opened as much as possible. Jones with more of a measured approach to all matters tactical.

No century for Stuart, but no matter. A fine opening run of 79 by the Basildon player to move 5-4 clear in the marathon run to 17 frames. Just another 12 of those required for the ‘Ball Run’.

This looks like a very impressive statement of intent by Bingham, who has got the reds opened up ASAP and is looking to plough on here by putting frame to bed in this visit. Such a heavy scorer Bingham when he is in the mood. And motors along at a fine speed too.

A lovely long red by Stuart is nailed with some interest. But not the best of kisses on the black. Screws off the black in potting green, and brings white back to the top end of the table. Decent chance here with black also hovering near a centre bag. Positive start by Stuart.

A tasty little safety battle is underway here at the outset of this session. Eight frames to get through this avo with eight more tomorrow morning and a possible nine (if needed) tomorrow night. Jones makes a blunder by leaving a red over a top bag, but Bingham can’t swing the black around the back of the black. Just the safety to follow.

‘The Pride of Essex’ Stuart ‘Ball Run’ Bingham is out in the arena. Ready to rock and roll. Jones with the break-off shot. Bingham full of smiles today. Jones is nicknamed ‘The Silent Assassin’. Perhaps he is up against ‘The Smiling Assassin’ today.

A third century of the match for Gilbert! His ninth at the crucible this year.

We’ll be back in a bit with the second session of Bingham versus Jones, with these two playing until the end this evening.

Massive cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. These two have treated the crowd to a fabulous match.

A tale as old as time (as old as this session), as Wilson makes a mess of an easy blue and lets Gilbert back in! Gilbert reels of five reds in no time including a marvellous one from distance, setting up a great chance to level this match yet again.

That’s a nasty miss. Groans from the crowd as Gilbert rattles the jaws of the bottom left pocket with a red. Wilson takes it for himself and gets things started in the 16th and final frame of the session.

Wilson takes the lead for the third time in this session. Can he make it two?

Wilson has frozen Gilbert out of this frame and now he’s just getting some potting practice in with the colours.

It’s a fine match. Wilson with yet another peach of a long red gets him back among the balls. Can he get frame ball here? Yes he can.

Gasps from the crowd as Wilson whacks in a red. But they know as well as he does that he’s lost position and has to go safe. He rolls up behind the brown and Gilbert will have a go.

A lightning start from Wilson who has hardly missed a long pot today. These frames are racing by, averaging under 15 minutes each.

These two are combing to produce a tremendous spectacle in this semi-final. Gilbert falls agonisingly short of a month century with a run of 96, but it’s a terrific break all the same.

Gilbert absolutely racing through this. He’s no interest in letting Wilson back to the table. He’s definitely getting the lion’s share of the applause as he does so too, people want this one to stay tight.

Here we go again! Gilbert plays a beautiful shot to get into this frame with a red to left middle. Fantastic. Wilson just cannot shake him off.

Wilson makes the most of that stroke of fortune and takes the lead again.

Another bit of bad luck for Gilbert! He misses a long red to bottom left and the cue ball pings in instead. Four points for Wilson, who could polish off the frame from here.

Wilson has plenty of trouble splitting the pack before the interval but he cannons them nicely here. But that’s unlucky, the white pulls up behind the black blocking off his best options. He needs a difficult red to bottom right but he overcuts it completely. The brown comes to his rescue with an incredibly fortunate snooker that leaves Gilbert baffled.

While we are official underway, neither player can get a look in here. A masterful exchange of safeties. But does Wilson see an opening? Yes!

We’re back underway! Can anything separate these two?

A brilliant run of 129 to level the match. We’re honours even at the mid-session interval. See you shortly.

There it is! The first century of the session and Gilbert’s eighth of the tournament.

Big cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. He’s played brilliantly here to once again reel Wilson back in. Can he get a century for good measure?

Rumblings from the crowd as the pink just about slips in, but Gilbert at his best here racing around the table. He has to be careful here though with five reds still bunched together. Get this right and that should be the frame. Excellent, he plays it so well and breaks up the remaining bunch too.

Gilbert eases a red into the left middle when it looked like there was nothing on.

Wilson regains the lead after a hard-fought frame that he should’ve won 15 minutes ago were it not for a very bad blue. He steals the frame back.

Wilson finally breaks the deadlock on the yellow with another stellar long pot. The green looks good but the brown is all tied up against the top cushion. He plays a great shot to get position but it’s still hard. Can he squeeze it in? Yes, excellent shot.

Gilbert cleans up all the reds, gets himself into the lead, then misses the yellow! Luckily he’s not left it on for Wilson. Both players look a bit agitated with distractions in the arena – lots of phones going off. Wilson goes safe on the yellow and gives Gilbert plenty of work to do with a smart snooker.

Gilbert hammers the pack. No nonsense, and it’s a marvellous shot. He could win the frame from here. Wilson’s blunder on the blue there adds to his mistake on the pink in the last frame. He rarely makes these kinds of mistakes.

Can Wilson split the pack? Sort of. He gets half of them away but forces himself into taking another long red on. Luckily he’s really good at those. Plenty of work to be done here though. He tries to force a few more reds of out of the bunch but only manages to skim too out the pack. Wow! He misses a routine blue by a mile. Can Gilbert steal this now? He makes a good start with a red.

Bang. A brilliant long pot from Wilson gets us underway in the 11th frame.

Gilbert levels things up after an eventful frame full of errors. These two just can’t be separated.

Gilbert needs this red for frame ball. Sinks it. Wilson will be kicking himself after missing that easy pink. He could’ve forged a two-frame lead or the first time in this final but it wasn’t to be and now Gilbert is heading level.

A terrific pot from Gilbert that breaks the safety impasse. And the brown is up for grabs too.

Gilbert sinks a tricky red but runs out of position. The two exchange very good safeties and we’re locked in at the top of the table.

Reprieve for Gilbert and Wilson hits a pink very thick. That was an easy one and he’s nowhere near.

Wilson sinks a terrific long red but once again he cannot get into the pack. Luckily he has options this time. That’s better. Cracks them open and gives himself position on the pink too. That goes!

A long yellow eludes Gilbert and to make matters worse, it pings into a red and gives Wilson a way back in. He tries to plough into the bunch but it’s a terrible shot and somehow he misses the entire pack. He tries again now as he sinks the yellow, but barely shaves the reds this time with another poor shot. That was a big opportunity to get into this frame but he’s misses it.

Gilbert was out of his chair as Wilson misses a long red, but the red bounces off the top cushion and slowly falls into the bottom right pocket. Lucky stuff. There ar eno colours so he goes safe, but not safe enough as Gilbert sinks an impressive long red for his first ball of the session. But again, few colours to choose from.

Wilson gets some polite applause for frame ball, sinks another red, but almost loses position on the pink. No bother, it goes. The next red rattles the jaws but Gilbert concedes. Great start for Wilson who takes the frame in one visit.

Wilson could make a flying start here. He’s 32 up in no time with some aggressive early snooker. He takes on a risky red and long green and now things look very good for the former finalist. Still some work to do with two tricky reds but this is good start to Wilson’s morning.

He must be in a hurry because Wilson has just pot two reds at once to get us going. And that’s opened up the table too.

Frame nine, 17 the target for a place in the final. Let’s go.

‘It’s a massive opportunity for the semi-finalists,” the seven-time champion says. “Especially the three who haven’t won it (Bingham took the title in 2015).’

‘But Bingham just loves snooker, and that gives him a huge advantage.’

Hello and welcome to our live-text coverage of the World Snooker Championship semi-finals!

We’re neck and neck in both matches after one session, with David Gilbert and Kyren Wilson tied at 4-4, with Jak Jones and Stuart Bingham sharing the same scoreline.

First up today is the second session of GIlbert and Wilson, so stay with us for all the build-up, hype and highlights as the boys head to the baize at 10am.

Wilson took the opening frame and looked strong, but Gilbert refused go away and produced some excellent play of his own.

The pair resume at 4-4 on Friday.

Bingham far too thick with an attempt to sink a red over top right-hand pocket. Poor really. Was miles away with that attempt. And Jones responds by clipping red into left centre bag. So what is the Welshman going to compile at this visit? Stuart looking a bit perturbed.

Bingham just avoids the double kiss as white misses red on way back to baulk. Stuart too thick with a safety attempt as red comes back down table. Goes for red to a top bag, but it rattles the jaws and sticks over the opposite pocket. Bingham then misses a tough pot on the black off side cushion after potting red. A bit of a struggle out there.

A mistake by Jones in leaving the brown over green pocket, and Stuart slots brown, blue and pink to level up the semi-final at 7-7. Two more frames remaining of the session. Nothing to split them.

Bingham in a spot of trouble as Jones snookers him behind the green after slotting yellow, but Stuart doing well to come off one cushion across the table to hit the green. Relief for Bingham. Jak then pots green. Which probably doesn’t help his prospects.

Well, would you believe this. Looked to be a done deal in this frame, but Jones leaves a tough snooker for Bingham to hit and he fails to escape in clipping black near the top end of table. Suddenly 36 the difference with 35 left on the table. One snooker now required by Jones.

Jones needing three snookers after Bingham weighs in with 48. Looks like 7-7 is incoming in this match.

Bingham out of position on pink from potting red, but he produces an excellent shot with rest to keep the break going. Then watches a red struggle in. Relief to see that disappear.

Jones attempts a long red, but it comes back out of a top pocket at pace and comes back to haunt him in nestling over right centre pocket. Another chance falls to Bingham. Looks a very decent chance for the ‘Ball Run’ to bring this semi-final level at 7-7.

Superb cut on a red from Bingham along the top cushion before he sends the white crashing into the pack of reds off green. Tough pot on red to left middle, but it drops after wiping its feet. An obvious scoring chance for Stuart here. Has been making big breaks all week. Could do with another one here. But he ends up screwing into a centre pocket off a red. Back to more safety then.

Well, there we go. Both players getting fed up with this frame. Jak asks Stuart if he wants a re-rack. And that is probably the right call. Table was such a mess. Nobody wants to sit and watch an elongated dour frame. Off we go then for the 14th frame. Take two.

Not sure Bingham wants to get bogged down in long, protracted bouts of safety play, but that seems to be the direction of travel in this frame. Table looks very messy as Jones can only make six before breaking down.

A fine break of 68 from Jones before a black off the spot stays out. Bingham suddenly chasing three snookers in this frame. He hasn’t potted a ball for 24 minutes so worth getting out of your seat to get the cue arm working. But he misses the pink after slotting a red. And that will be enough. Jones ahead for first time in this match leading 7-6.

What a pot on a red that is from Jones as he buries a tough red to the green bag from the top end of the table. Didn’t touch the sides, and this is a glorious chance to build a decent lead in this 13th frame. Once again, plenty of red balls in the open to attack. Moves quickly to 42.

A 67 break from Jones is more than good enough to restore parity at 6-6 as they head for a mid-session interval. Bingham missing a trick when he went 6-4 clear.

Looks like that missed black is going to prove very costly for Stuart as Jones opens up the pack of reds seconds later. Glorious chance to get this frame won here. Nothing really safe on this table. Like a training exercise with reds lined up for potting.

Jones with a corking long red straight off the bar in the 12th frame with white tight on baulk cushion, but then misses a pink to left centre. Bingham with chance to reassert himself, but he breaks down as a tough cut on a black fails to drop down the hole.

Bingham can’t escape from a snooker, and he has seen enough of that frame. Just shy of 30 minutes, but Jones back to within one frame trailing 6-5. Jones a lot more comfortable when the frames go scrappy.

Bingham tries to drop in a mid-range red, but it sticks in the jaws of the green bag. Hasn’t been missing many of those. Jones slots red, and gets a lucky kiss in potting the pink off the black. A lead of 37 points for Jak with a possible 35 left up. Timely fluke for Jones, who leaves Bingham chasing a snooker.

Just can’t keep hold of the white at the key moment and ends up missing a mid-range red. That is disappointing for Jak. But he is still a strong favourite with three reds near side cushions. Bingham gets within 30 points of Jones before a double on a red stays out. Two reds left on table.

Jones slides in a long red to regain access to the table. Cant get the pack open off the blue, and doesn’t make a great go of it. Then ends up missing the reds in holing the green. White drops down a top pocket, but Bingham can’t drain a long red. Hit at the white with plenty of pace, but red bounces back out. Could cost him the frame with Jones handed another simple red to get started.

Bingham goes for a long red. Well off the potting angle with that one, but doesn’t leave an easy starter for Jones. And then another long red eludes the former Masters winner. Jones reacts by picking out a tough cut on a red to left middle before he knocks in an excellent black on the stretch. Chance for Jones to get moving on the scoreboard, but he breaks down fairly quickly as a red to yellow bag eludes him.

Jones first to the punch in this 11th frame of the semi-final with a decent long red wriggling home, but not much else to follow as he is forced to declare on 11 with a red failing to drop in the right centre bag.

Career century 584 from Bingham as the brown disappears with the extended rest. Superb break of 107 from Stuart, and he moves 6-4 clear. Making some moves at the Crucible.

Bingham playing at 19 seconds a shot now. The Usain Bolt of the snooker balls. Really is a delight to watch when he is in the mood. Could be a ton on the way for the Ball Run.

Not many better break-builders in snooker than Stuart. Another superb cannon on the pink, and all those reds are wide open now. Looks a formality for a 6-4 lead for Bingham.

Stuart really has got that cue arm working, while Jak hasn’t potted a ball for half an hour or so. Which is just what Bingham will be looking to do. Keep the other player sitting in his seat. And on he goes here. Looking very promising for another big break.

Jak opts to push the boat out by going for a plant on reds. Plant fails to drop, and he also can’t get the white back up to baulk. Which isn’t good news. Another opportunity presented to Bingham. Which is dangerous when he is in such a prolific scoring mood.

Bit of an error from Jak as he fails to connect with the right red from distance to leave Stuart with a mid-range red to attack. Another opening for the 2015 world champion, but he misses the brown off spot and doesn’t end up landing on a red. Good run of the ball for the Ball Run.

Bingham trying to be very aggressive in his shot selection. Wants to get those reds opened as much as possible. Jones with more of a measured approach to all matters tactical.

No century for Stuart, but no matter. A fine opening run of 79 by the Basildon player to move 5-4 clear in the marathon run to 17 frames. Just another 12 of those required for the ‘Ball Run’.

This looks like a very impressive statement of intent by Bingham, who has got the reds opened up ASAP and is looking to plough on here by putting frame to bed in this visit. Such a heavy scorer Bingham when he is in the mood. And motors along at a fine speed too.

A lovely long red by Stuart is nailed with some interest. But not the best of kisses on the black. Screws off the black in potting green, and brings white back to the top end of the table. Decent chance here with black also hovering near a centre bag. Positive start by Stuart.

A tasty little safety battle is underway here at the outset of this session. Eight frames to get through this avo with eight more tomorrow morning and a possible nine (if needed) tomorrow night. Jones makes a blunder by leaving a red over a top bag, but Bingham can’t swing the black around the back of the black. Just the safety to follow.

‘The Pride of Essex’ Stuart ‘Ball Run’ Bingham is out in the arena. Ready to rock and roll. Jones with the break-off shot. Bingham full of smiles today. Jones is nicknamed ‘The Silent Assassin’. Perhaps he is up against ‘The Smiling Assassin’ today.

A third century of the match for Gilbert! His ninth at the crucible this year.

We’ll be back in a bit with the second session of Bingham versus Jones, with these two playing until the end this evening.

Massive cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. These two have treated the crowd to a fabulous match.

A tale as old as time (as old as this session), as Wilson makes a mess of an easy blue and lets Gilbert back in! Gilbert reels of five reds in no time including a marvellous one from distance, setting up a great chance to level this match yet again.

That’s a nasty miss. Groans from the crowd as Gilbert rattles the jaws of the bottom left pocket with a red. Wilson takes it for himself and gets things started in the 16th and final frame of the session.

Wilson takes the lead for the third time in this session. Can he make it two?

Wilson has frozen Gilbert out of this frame and now he’s just getting some potting practice in with the colours.

It’s a fine match. Wilson with yet another peach of a long red gets him back among the balls. Can he get frame ball here? Yes he can.

Gasps from the crowd as Wilson whacks in a red. But they know as well as he does that he’s lost position and has to go safe. He rolls up behind the brown and Gilbert will have a go.

A lightning start from Wilson who has hardly missed a long pot today. These frames are racing by, averaging under 15 minutes each.

These two are combing to produce a tremendous spectacle in this semi-final. Gilbert falls agonisingly short of a month century with a run of 96, but it’s a terrific break all the same.

Gilbert absolutely racing through this. He’s no interest in letting Wilson back to the table. He’s definitely getting the lion’s share of the applause as he does so too, people want this one to stay tight.

Here we go again! Gilbert plays a beautiful shot to get into this frame with a red to left middle. Fantastic. Wilson just cannot shake him off.

Wilson makes the most of that stroke of fortune and takes the lead again.

Another bit of bad luck for Gilbert! He misses a long red to bottom left and the cue ball pings in instead. Four points for Wilson, who could polish off the frame from here.

Wilson has plenty of trouble splitting the pack before the interval but he cannons them nicely here. But that’s unlucky, the white pulls up behind the black blocking off his best options. He needs a difficult red to bottom right but he overcuts it completely. The brown comes to his rescue with an incredibly fortunate snooker that leaves Gilbert baffled.

While we are official underway, neither player can get a look in here. A masterful exchange of safeties. But does Wilson see an opening? Yes!

We’re back underway! Can anything separate these two?

A brilliant run of 129 to level the match. We’re honours even at the mid-session interval. See you shortly.

There it is! The first century of the session and Gilbert’s eighth of the tournament.

Big cheers as Gilbert gets frame ball. He’s played brilliantly here to once again reel Wilson back in. Can he get a century for good measure?

Rumblings from the crowd as the pink just about slips in, but Gilbert at his best here racing around the table. He has to be careful here though with five reds still bunched together. Get this right and that should be the frame. Excellent, he plays it so well and breaks up the remaining bunch too.

Gilbert eases a red into the left middle when it looked like there was nothing on.

Wilson regains the lead after a hard-fought frame that he should’ve won 15 minutes ago were it not for a very bad blue. He steals the frame back.

Wilson finally breaks the deadlock on the yellow with another stellar long pot. The green looks good but the brown is all tied up against the top cushion. He plays a great shot to get position but it’s still hard. Can he squeeze it in? Yes, excellent shot.

Gilbert cleans up all the reds, gets himself into the lead, then misses the yellow! Luckily he’s not left it on for Wilson. Both players look a bit agitated with distractions in the arena – lots of phones going off. Wilson goes safe on the yellow and gives Gilbert plenty of work to do with a smart snooker.

Gilbert hammers the pack. No nonsense, and it’s a marvellous shot. He could win the frame from here. Wilson’s blunder on the blue there adds to his mistake on the pink in the last frame. He rarely makes these kinds of mistakes.

Can Wilson split the pack? Sort of. He gets half of them away but forces himself into taking another long red on. Luckily he’s really good at those. Plenty of work to be done here though. He tries to force a few more reds of out of the bunch but only manages to skim too out the pack. Wow! He misses a routine blue by a mile. Can Gilbert steal this now? He makes a good start with a red.

Bang. A brilliant long pot from Wilson gets us underway in the 11th frame.

Gilbert levels things up after an eventful frame full of errors. These two just can’t be separated.

Gilbert needs this red for frame ball. Sinks it. Wilson will be kicking himself after missing that easy pink. He could’ve forged a two-frame lead or the first time in this final but it wasn’t to be and now Gilbert is heading level.

A terrific pot from Gilbert that breaks the safety impasse. And the brown is up for grabs too.

Gilbert sinks a tricky red but runs out of position. The two exchange very good safeties and we’re locked in at the top of the table.

Reprieve for Gilbert and Wilson hits a pink very thick. That was an easy one and he’s nowhere near.

Wilson sinks a terrific long red but once again he cannot get into the pack. Luckily he has options this time. That’s better. Cracks them open and gives himself position on the pink too. That goes!

A long yellow eludes Gilbert and to make matters worse, it pings into a red and gives Wilson a way back in. He tries to plough into the bunch but it’s a terrible shot and somehow he misses the entire pack. He tries again now as he sinks the yellow, but barely shaves the reds this time with another poor shot. That was a big opportunity to get into this frame but he’s misses it.

Gilbert was out of his chair as Wilson misses a long red, but the red bounces off the top cushion and slowly falls into the bottom right pocket. Lucky stuff. There ar eno colours so he goes safe, but not safe enough as Gilbert sinks an impressive long red for his first ball of the session. But again, few colours to choose from.

Wilson gets some polite applause for frame ball, sinks another red, but almost loses position on the pink. No bother, it goes. The next red rattles the jaws but Gilbert concedes. Great start for Wilson who takes the frame in one visit.

Wilson could make a flying start here. He’s 32 up in no time with some aggressive early snooker. He takes on a risky red and long green and now things look very good for the former finalist. Still some work to do with two tricky reds but this is good start to Wilson’s morning.

He must be in a hurry because Wilson has just pot two reds at once to get us going. And that’s opened up the table too.

Frame nine, 17 the target for a place in the final. Let’s go.

‘It’s a massive opportunity for the semi-finalists,” the seven-time champion says. “Especially the three who haven’t won it (Bingham took the title in 2015).’

‘But Bingham just loves snooker, and that gives him a huge advantage.’

Hello and welcome to our live-text coverage of the World Snooker Championship semi-finals!

We’re neck and neck in both matches after one session, with David Gilbert and Kyren Wilson tied at 4-4, with Jak Jones and Stuart Bingham sharing the same scoreline.

First up today is the second session of GIlbert and Wilson, so stay with us for all the build-up, hype and highlights as the boys head to the baize at 10am.

Wilson took the opening frame and looked strong, but Gilbert refused go away and produced some excellent play of his own.

The pair resume at 4-4 on Friday.