Northern Ireland Open 2024: Kyren Wilson edges Anthony McGill in epic, Barry Hawkins seals big win over John Higgins

Kyren Wilson booked his spot in the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Open with a dramatic 4-3 win over Anthony McGill. The pair were involved in another epic that drew parallels to their 2020 World Championship clash, but it was Wilson who once again prevailed. Also through to the next round is Neil Robertson, while earlier, Barry Hawkins set up a tantalising last-16 clash against Judd Trump.

Kyren Wilson booked his spot in the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Open with a 4-3 win over Anthony McGill in what was an epic encounter in Belfast.

The crowd were treated to snooker of the highest quality as the pair went toe-to-toe in a match that featured big breaks and no shortage of drama, live on discovery+.

There were shades of their incredible 2020 World Championship semi-final when the pair became embroiled in a safety battle on the final green in the deciding frame.

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And like that day, it was Wilson who prevailed after McGill gifted the world champion 19 foul points and a free ball.

It was a second successive 4-3 win for Wilson, who will play either Stan Moody in the next round.

“I don’t know what it is but it just seems to happen when I play Ant, I don’t know why,” Wilson told Eurosport.

“It was so similar [to the 2020 World Championship semi-final] wasn’t it, because I turned to Ant because he landed on the green when he looked like he had a chance to clear-up.

“It was tough from where he was but when he landed on the green, instantly I’m thinking, ‘Aw here we go’ because it’s going to be a safety battle.

“I said to him, ‘I don’t know if I’m ready for this, I’ve not got over the last time it happened’ and he said, ‘Just don’t fluke the green this time’.”

McGill cut an optimistic figure ahead of the encounter and backed up his pre-match confidence.

‘He’s done it again’ – McGill makes second successive century in thrilling clash with Wilson

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wilson took the opener with a classy break of 77 but McGill responded in style, sublime back-to-back centuries in frames two and three taking him 2-1 ahead.

The turning point arrived in the fourth frame. Riding the momentum, the Scot looked set to make it 3-1 when he raced to 50 and split the pack off the black, only for a red to fall into the left middle and gift Wilson a chance to respond.

To his credit, he grabbed it with both hands and then moved within one of victory with a break of 70 in the fifth frame.

He let slip a golden opportunity to clinch victory in the next but wrapped up another 4-3 win in a thrilling decider that swung back and forth until Wilson came out on top in the latest epic with McGill.

Watch: Shades of 2020 World Championship semi-final as Wilson beats McGill in dramatic decider

Video credit: TNT Sports

Earlier, Barry Hawkins booked his place in the last 16 with an enthralling 4-2 victory over John Higgins.

It looked set to be a simple evening’s work for ‘The Hawk’ in Belfast when he quickly took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven clash before the Scotsman fought back and nearly forced a decider.

But Hawkins would not be denied and found the snooker he needed in the sixth frame before clearing up to book a mouth-watering tie against world No. 1 Judd Trump.

“I was cruising really at 3-0, John started struggling,” Hawkins told Eurosport.

“I made a good clearance to win that first frame because John looked sharp but then he missed a couple and I looked like winning 4-0 quite easily. I’m over the moon to get over the line really.”

He added: “That’s a big win for me because I know John’s playing well and I’m just looking for a bit of confidence. Hopefully that kicks me off.”

‘Look at that’ – Hawkins gets cue ball to dance after exquisite banana shot on long red

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was a game of missed chances as both players made a raft of uncharacteristic errors. Higgins was in first in the opening three frames but failed to take advantage as Hawkins gladly accepted his opponent’s generosity to move 3-0 ahead.

It was roles reversed in the fourth frame. Hawkins managed 12 before missing but looked to have the match at his mercy when he returned and had just the colours remaining until he jawed a simple yellow to hand the four-time world champion a lifeline.

After finally getting on the board to avoid the whitewash, Higgins continued the comeback in trademark fashion in the next.

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Trailing by 29 with just the colours remaining, the Scotsman got the snooker he required before clearing up to pull back within one at 3-2 down.

A sublime break of 70 from Higgins looked set to take the contest to a decider, but he failed to kill the frame off and was made to pay.

Hawkins returned needing a snooker and got it when the Scotsman miscued and left a free ball as the Englishman eventually got over the line.

‘You can see the relief’ – Hawkins ‘finally’ gets over the line in thriller against Higgins

Video credit: TNT Sports

Elsewhere, Neil Robertson made light work of Wang Yuchen. The Australian was in no mood to hang around, making a century en route to whitewashing the 27-year-old and set up a last-16 showdown with Oliver Lines, who earlier knocked out home favourite Mark Allen.

There were also victories for Ma Hailong and Stan Moody, who beat least season’s losing World Championship finalist Jak Jones 4-0, while Mark Williams also progressed thanks to a 4-1 win over Noppon Saengkham.

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Stream the Northern Ireland Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

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