Four-time winner John Higgins is 5-3 behind against David Gilbert after the first session of their World Snooker Championship semi-final in Sheffield ©Getty Images

Four-time winner John Higgins is 5-3 behind against David Gilbert after the first session of their World Snooker Championship semi-final in Sheffield.

Trailing 3-2, Englishman Gilbert won three in a row to establish a two-frame lead over his Scottish opponent. 

He came close to making the first maximum 147 break at the Crucible Theatre since 2012 after potting the 15th red in the sixth frame.

But he missed the next black having left himself in a less than ideal position.

The match is due to resume tomorrow.

Judd Trump is level at 4-4 with Gary Wilson after the first session of their semi-final ©Getty Images
Judd Trump is level at 4-4 with Gary Wilson after the first session of their semi-final ©Getty Images

In the other semi-final, world number seven Judd Trump is level at 4-4 with fellow Englishman Gary Wilson after the first session.

Trump is the clear favourite to win this year's tournament and claim his first world title.

A 54 break was enough for him to clinch the final frame of the night.

Qualifier Wilson had earlier put together a superb 140, the second-highest break of the tournament behind Trump, to put himself 2-1 ahead. 

Trump bounced back to establish a 3-2 advantage and although Wilson dominated the next two frames for a 4-3 lead, parity was restored before the close of play.