Anthony McGill has once again cemented his position as a ‘Crucible player’ this year, and he feels it is, at least in part, down to the World Championship venue being a theatre.
The Scot is a qualifier at the Crucible this season, but that has not been a problem for him, downing Judd Trump and Jack Lisowski so far to reach the quarter-finals.
It is the fourth time the Glaswegian has reached the last eight and the third time in four years, with his best run being the semi-finals in 2020.
The 32-year-old is yet to reach the final, but given he is not a regular tournament winner on the tour, he has a remarkably good record in the biggest event of them all.
McGill believes the fact that the World Championship is played in a theatre is a big part of why he excels, whereas the less dramatic surroundings of other competitions do not bring the best out of him.
‘The importance of the tournament is not lost on me, you really feel it sometimes. Other tournaments you don’t so much,’ he said.
‘One thing with snooker is I don’t think we play in enough theatres, I think it makes a difference. Snooker is drama and this is a proper theatre.
‘Most tournaments are just tables thrown up on basketball courts, it’s just not the same. I think snooker is very suited to theatres.’
He added: ‘How can you not enjoy being out there? Sometimes things aren’t going well, but you still have to feel a sense of gratitude just to be there.
‘There are a lot worse things you could be doing than losing a game of snooker. Sometimes you win and it’s even better.
‘We are in a theatre and snooker is drama. It’s the best kind of drama, and no one can tell me otherwise. I love it. It’s a shame we don’t play in more theatres because snooker is perfect for it, and this place is the best of all.’
McGill will take on a player in their first quarter-final appearance, with Si Jiahui reaching the last eight on his Crucible debut.
The 20-year-old has ousted Shaun Murphy and Robert Milkins to reach this stage and will go into the game with the confidence of beating McGill on all three of their previous meetings.
MORE : Anthony McGill on Jack Lisowski: Snooker is so lucky to have him
MORE : Anthony McGill well aware of Si Jiahui threat at the Crucible after trio of defeats
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