FOR all the hours spent honing skill and flair, it still takes a bit of grit and a lot of determination to win any match at the Crucible Theatre as Anthony McGill can attest.

The Glasgow potter was below par throughout his first-round contest against Ryan Day at the Betfred World Snooker Championship and looked to be heading out when 8-5 down.

But he came roaring back, with a never-say-die attitude and will to win carrying him into the second round with a 10-8 victory.

Despite being the seeded player, McGill was widely considered the underdog against Welshman Day who has claimed two ranking titles this season.

However, the Scot now goes on to face Chinese superstar Ding Junhui with a smile on his face which was lacking for much of this match.

“I was not playing well enough so there was nothing for me to be confident about,” he said. “From the position I was in at 8-5, I needed to win 5-0 or 5-1. I did not think I could do that with the way I was playing but I did play a bit better.

“To play well when it matters is great. It is a World Championship, it is worth trying in. If you are not at 100 per cent then you have given up. That is what happened last year. I played Stephen Maguire and I was 7-2 down overnight. I came back and I never settled. I knew I was going to get beat

basically. But this year I had a bit more fight about me and it shows what can happen.”

McGill’s task does not get any easier though, with world No 3 Ding in supreme form during his 10-3 win against Xiao Guodong.

“He is crushing guys like that and it shows you the challenge I am in for,” the Scot said.

Watch the Snooker World Championship live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.