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Bring on Trump, I'm not scared, says party-goer Gilbert


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David Gilbert

David Gilbert

David Gilbert

Will Jennings

Party boy David Gilbert reckons reverting back to the good old days away from the baize can propel him to World Championship glory.

And the 2019 semi-finalist issued a stirring statement of intent to potential last 16 opponent and world No.1 Judd Trump - 'I'm not scared.'

Gilbert breezed past Chris Wakelin 10-4 in his first round Crucible clash after a turbulent campaign on the World Snooker Tour.

The world No.15 has reached just a single ranking event quarter-final but says adopting a more carefree approach back home can catapult him back to the big time in Sheffield.

Gilbert, 39, said: "I've put in a hell of a lot of work since Christmas both on and off the table. I've tried to get myself in a better routine and I feel a lot fitter and happier.

"I just looked at my life, how I used to live and how I started to live.

"I had no routine in my life - lying about all day and not talking to anyone all day. It's not me.

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"I'm a busy person and I'm very social. I changed quite a few things and went back to how I used to live.

"It's not quite how it was - partying on your own in a garage on a Saturday night isn't like being in a nightclub giving it large, but it's brought me back a bit."

Fired-up Gilbert will face either 2019 Crucible king Judd Trump or world No.49 Liam Highfield in the second round and added: "Obviously people are going to ask me about Judd next - he's a great player and plays the game the right way.

"But if he has a bit of an off day, you're going to get chances. It's just about if you stand up and take it.

"He's the best player in the world so it's a pretty tough one, but it's not daunting now - it's exciting."

Elsewhere over the weekend, defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan breezed past World Championship debutant Mark Joyce 10-4 in the first game of the tournament.

The Rocket turned on the style and cracked in three consecutive century breaks to finish with a flourish - only the eighth time the feat had been achieved in Crucible history.

Yesterday, Masters champion Yan Bingtao beat Martin Gould 10-6.

Sheffield-based Yan, 21, faces Shaun Murphy or Mark Davis in round two.

In-form Neil Robertson toppled Liang Wenbo 10-3 in the evening session.

The 2010 world champion knocked in three century breaks - and five of 50-plus - to book a second round clash against either Jack Lisowski or Ali Carter.

÷Watch the World Snooker Championship live on Eurosport and Eurosport app from April 17-May 3

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