Wilson, who reached the ultimate in 2020, got here into this contest buoyed by the convincing method of his 13-8 victory in opposition to four-time champion John Higgins within the final eight.
Nonetheless, he struggled to interrupt free of their first two periods as Gilbert matched the one seed left within the event in virtually each division.
Gilbert, a 2019 semi-finalist, produced a chic 129 break and loved runs of 92 and 106 on Friday afternoon however the world quantity 31 was unable to copy that kind within the night session.
A missed black to the left nook was ruthlessly punished by Wilson within the nineteenth body and misses on the yellow and brown within the subsequent appeared to jolt Gilbert’s confidence as Wilson grew visibly stronger.
To his credit score, Gilbert rallied to finish the session on a excessive be aware together with his tenth century of the event, however he’ll now want a quick begin on Saturday if he’s to forestall Wilson from claiming the three frames he requires to achieve the ultimate.