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Gary Wilson and David Gilbert into World Snooker Championship semi-finals

"I had missed school and nights out with my mates. All this makes it feel worthwhile."

Gary Wilson of England in action during his first round match against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England on day one of the World Championship Snooker at the Crucible Theatre on April 15, 2017 in Sheffield, England
Image: Gary Wilson reached the semi-finals of the World Championship

Gary Wilson continued his remarkable career resurrection by beating Ali Carter 13-9 and reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship for the first time.

The Wallsend 33-year-old spent six years off the tour and endured stints as a taxi driver, a bar man and a production line worker in a frozen foods factory before grasping his second chance in the sport.

And Wilson continued to make the most of his opportunity as a nerveless opening break of 117 paved the way to convert a 9-7 overnight advantage into a place in the Crucible's fabled one-table set-up.

Wilson said: "I dropped off the tour and I wasn't good enough to get back on. I was having all these uncertain times when I didn't know if I was going to be a pro again.

"I was desperate to get back on the tour and just scrape a living. So to go from that point to where I am now, in the one-table set-up, is absolutely amazing and the sort of thing you dream of."

I'd been playing since I was eight years old and I had put my heart and soul into it. I had missed school and nights out with my mates. All this makes it feel worthwhile.
Gary Wilson

Wilson, whose only previous Crucible appearance saw a first round defeat to Ronnie O'Sullivan two years ago, had beaten Luca Brecel and former champion Mark Selby to reach the quarter-finals.

Reflecting on a now-guaranteed career-best payday of at least £100,000, Wilson added: "I remember situations when I was struggling for money and wondering what job I was going to do.

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"I'd been playing since I was eight years old and I had put my heart and soul into it. I had missed school and nights out with my mates. All this makes it feel worthwhile."

Judd Trump of England plays a shot during The Dafabet Masters Final between Judd Trump of England and Ronnie O'Sullivan of England at Alexandra Palace on January 20, 2019 in London, England.
Image: Judd Trump will take on Wilson for a place in the final

Wilson will take on Judd Trump after he demolished Stephen Maguire 13-6 to book his place in the semi-finals at the Crucible.

Trump, who is targeting a place in his first world final since 2011, mocked Maguire's pre-match assertion that he was a "lucky" player by joking: "I got a lot of luck out there - I think that was the only reason I did win."

David Gilbert plays a shot against Ronnie O'Sullivan during their first round match of the 2016 Betfred World Snooker Championship at Crucible Theatre on April 17, 2016 in Sheffield, England.
Image: David Gilbert beat Kyren Wilson to reach the semi-finals

David Gilbert became the second player through to the semi-finals after completing a 13-8 victory over Kyren Wilson.

Gilbert began with a 10-6 overnight advantage and although Wilson briefly reduced the deficit, a missed black off its spot enabled the world No 16 to move closer to victory.

Another mistake by Wilson in the 21st frame let in Gilbert who missed a pair of match balls before finally prevailing.

He next plays John Higgins defeated pre-tournament favourite Neil Robertson 13-10 to reach the 10th semi-final of his career.

The 43-year-old drew on every inch of his fighting qualities to repel the Australian's bid to fight back from a 9-7 morning deficit.

Twice Robertson moved back to within one frame but Higgins kept his nose in front and finished in style with a 101 clearance in the last.

Jimmy White of England lines up a shot during his game against Mark King
Image: Jimmy White has been rewarded with a new two-year tour card

Six-time World Championship runner-up Jimmy White has been rewarded with a new two-year tour card.

White's 39-year career appeared to be over after he suffered a 10-4 defeat to Carter in the second round of this year's qualifying competition.

But World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said: "It was a no-brainer. We don't forget who we owe, and this sport owes Jimmy White."

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