World champion Kyren Wilson has booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Masters, dispatching China's Si Jiahui with an authoritative 6-2 victory at Alexandra Palace. The win marks a significant return to form for the world number two, who had described a recent defeat as one of the lowest points of his career.
A Curious Pattern Continues
The result continued a remarkable statistical trend at this year's tournament. Every match played at the Masters up to and including Wilson's clash with Si had finished with an identical 6-2 scoreline. Wilson, who is yet to win a ranking title this season after breaking his cue at the start of the campaign, looked in determined mood from the outset.
Match Analysis: Century Breaks Seal the Deal
After a tactical battle in the opening frame, which he eventually edged, Wilson looked poised for a maximum 147 break in the second. His run ended agonisingly on the 11th red, but he still moved into a 2-0 lead. Si Jiahui responded superbly with a break of 97 to get on the board, but Wilson dug deep to re-establish a two-frame cushion, taking a 3-1 lead into the mid-session interval.
Si took a close fifth frame to narrow the deficit to 3-2, but that was as close as he would get. Wilson, keen to move on from a disappointing first-round exit at the UK Championship to Elliot Slessor, dominated the sixth frame 82-28. He then produced a stunning finale, sealing his impressive victory with back-to-back century breaks of 101 and 105.
Wilson's Emotional Response and Cue Confidence
Speaking before the match, Wilson had been frank about his recent struggles, labelling the loss to Slessor as "one of the lowest points I've ever had". His mood was transformed after the win, particularly when discussing his new cue.
"It has been a really tough time so I thank you for all your love you have given me, it really lifted me," he told the supportive Alexandra Palace crowd. "This venue can bring the best out of you. I still have a lot of time in this game so hopefully I can conquer this venue for a long time. Having a cue I'm happy with, I'm just so excited I can deliver – the cue is so important. When you go out there and can't trust what you're using, you have no chance."
Wilson now awaits the winner of Wednesday's match between Neil Robertson and Chris Wakelin for his quarter-final tie. In other Masters action, the legendary John Higgins was set to face Barry Hawkins in Tuesday's late match.
