Glasgow's Anthony McGill is hungry to kick on after his run to the final of the Scottish Open, writes Neil Goulding.
He has taken plenty of confidence from his impressive run – he lost 4-2 to Ding Junhui, a winner of three ranking event titles in the showcase final – and believes the experience gained can launch him to greater achievements.
"It was my personal best getting to the final because I'd never been in one before," said McGill. "Even though I lost, it was great experience. I didn't play anywhere near my best against Ding and I still tested him.
"He's one of the modern greats – he's a two-time UK [Championship] winner and he's won the Masters – so you can only learn from playing someone of his quality."
McGill has broken into the world's top 50 following his run to the final – he won some £5000 for it – at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility and the 21-year-old is optimistic the future of Scottish snooker is in safe hands as he and emerging compatriots Michael Leslie and Scott Donaldson make progress.
"We're all still learning our trade," added McGill. "I've practised with John Higgins and Stephen Maguire a few times, but I practise a lot more with Marcus Campbell and Alan McManus. It's awesome to work with those guys; they're so hard to beat. I've learned loads already and I'm still learning, but the aim is to keep winning as many matches as possible and to qualify for as many ranking tournaments as I can."
John Higgins, the four-time world champion who lost in the opening round at Ravenscraig, remains the leading Scot in yesterday's updated rankings in third place .
Stephen Maguire moves up to sixth spot after reaching round three, while Graeme Dott drops one place to 15 following his second-round loss.
n Perth's Scott Donaldson and Bonnyrigg's Michael Leslie are the first Scots in action at the World Open qualifiers in Sheffield today. Donaldson takes on India's Aditya Mehta with the winner to play Scottish Open finalist Anthony McGill tomorrow. Leslie takes on Michael Wasley from Gloucester.
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