David Gilbert sees off Anthony Hamilton to book Crucible spot

Anthony Hamilton's absence from the Crucible will continue after he was comfortably beaten in the final round of World Championship qualifying.

The four-time quarter-finalist, who has qualified only once since 2008 but withdrew because of concerns over Covid-19, was beaten 10-3 by David Gilbert.

Having fallen 2-1 behind early on, Gilbert made a break of 100 to win the fourth frame, the first of seven straight frames for the 40-year-old to put the contest beyond Hamilton.

"I’m delighted to get through," Gilbert said on World Snooker TV. "I’ve got nothing but respect for Anthony".

Hossein Vafaei became the first Iranian to qualify for the Crucible with a 10-9 win over Lei Peifan.

"I’m so happy," the 27-year-old said. "I make my people happy and make them proud, they have someone in the snooker finals. Today I was nervous a lot, I was shaking a lot. I have to say with my performance, I’m sorry, I played so bad but who cares? I won."

Jamie Clarke sank to his knees after sealing a 10-8 win over former Crucible champion Graeme Dott with a treble on the black.

Matthew Stevens won the final four frames, including a break of 139 in the 17th, as he came from behind to beat Ali Carter 10-8 in the battle of the two former finalists.

Noppon Saengkham won the final three frames to rally for a 10-8 victory over Robert Milkins while Chris Wakelin took four of the last five frames for a 10-7 win over Jimmy Robertson.

Liam Highfield won the final three frames for a 10-7 win over Yuan Sijun while Jackson Page booked his ticket to the Crucible with a 10-6 win over David Grace.