By Simon Kendal-Williams

Ryan Day will aim to make it a hat-trick of Welshmen through to the second round of the Betfred World Snooker Championship on Thursday by completing victory over Anthony McGill.

Pontycymmer’s Day – who came through three qualifying rounds to reach the Crucible Theatre showpiece – was in fine form as he established a 6-3 lead against the 14th -seeded Scot.

A break of 141 in the second frame matched the highest in the tournament, but his 52 clearance in the sixth was arguably more impressive, snatching a frame McGill had looked odds-on to level the match.

And having edged 5-3 ahead, Day saved the best for last, firing in a superb 145 to put himself in pole position to claim the £10,000 highest break prize.

Should the 38-year-old prevail, world number three Ding Junhui awaits in round two.

Compatriots Mark Williams and Jamie Jones are already through, but Wednesday saw two more seeds fall by the wayside.

Tenth seed Neil Robertson was a shadow of the player who lifted the trophy in 2010 as world number 37 Robert Milkins eased to a 10-5 win, setting up a clash with Williams.

And Gloucester’s Jack Lisowski showed why many tip him for the top as he dispatched 2015 champion Stuart Bingham 10-7.