Snooker sting as Wilson shows ruthless streak at Masters

KYREN WILSON knows that you have got to be ruthless to win at snooker’s top table – and that’s exactly what he was in victory over Jack Lisowski at the Masters.

The Kettering potter lost the opening two frames in his firstround match at Alexandra Palace, but steadied his head and promptly won the next six to seal a quarter-final berth.

And, after Lisowski missed a vital pink that would have given him a 3-1 lead at the mid-session interval, Wilson knew that he had to pounce on his opponent’s lack of concentration.

“Jack started off like a house on fire, going for everything and potting everything like we all know he can do,” he said.

“The third frame was a big turning point and obviously the fourth. I got a bit of luck in the third frame and, where the balls were, to clear up from there settled me down.

“I obviously went on from strength to strength from that point.

“This particular venue and this tournament can amplify the pressure, so when little things happen you have to really take that opportunity and believe that it’s going to hurt your opponent, have that belief that they’re struggling, and it makes you stronger.”

Referee Ben Williams felt the wrath of a wasp during the match.

Williams stepped in as Wilson was disturbed by the barbed insect at the table. Williams grabbed the winged intruder with his gloved hand, but was stung immediately and received medical assistance at the end of the frame.

“The wasp landed on the cushion right where Kyren was about to play so I had to get rid of it,” he said. “I picked it up and thought ‘If it stings me it won’t get through my gloves.’ But then I felt the sting on my palm which was a shock and very painful.

“I’ve never been stung by a wasp before - the only thing I can remember which was more painful was being bitten by a dog. From now on I’ll be swatting them with the back of my hand rather than trying to pick them up!”

In the evening match it was Stuart Bingham who edged the battle of the former World Champions as he beat Mark Williams 6-2. Heading into the mid-session interval at 2-2, Bingham turned on the style to take the next four after the break – the result of a conscious decision to inject some fire into the match.

“I looked at the stats at the halfway stage and was up to about 27 seconds a shot clock and thought that if I get the chance I’ll try and speed it up a bit,” he said. “My record here isn’t the best, so every match is like a final for me.

Watch the London Masters LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.