Kyren Wilson is through to the fourth Crucible semi-final of his career, after an impressive display saw him overpower John Higgins 13-8 at the Cazoo World Championship.
As he so often does, Wilson has timed his form to hit its peak here at the sport’s biggest event. Despite having only made one prior semi-final appearance this season, at the German Masters, the Warrior has produced his very best to blitz a path to the Crucible semis. So far he has defeated Dominic Dale and Joe O'Connor, as well as Higgins, and he is the last seed left in the event.
Wilson has a tremendous record at the Theatre of Dreams. He first made the semi-finals in 2018, when he lost out to Higgins. The Englishman returned to the last four in 2020, scoring an epic 17-16 win over Anthony McGill to make the final, before being denied snooker’s grandest prize by Ronnie O’Sullivan. Wilson was also a beaten semi-finalist when he faced Shaun Murphy here in 2021. However, the 32-year-old is still hunting an elusive maiden Crucible crown.
To gain a place in this year’s semis he had to overcome a player who he has struggled against in recent times. Tonight’s victory is Wilson’s first against Higgins in four years, since the 2020 World Grand Prix. In the intervening period Higgins won all of their five meetings, including a 13-2 win over Wilson here last year.
Despite suffering defeat, Higgins remains in a strong position to retain his place in the world’s top 16. The four-time World Champion has been in that elite group since 1995 and his stunning 13-12 win over Mark Allen acted as a huge boost to his hopes to stay there.
For much of this encounter, it was Higgins clinging to Wilson’s coattails. The Scot won the last two frames of the opening session to end 5-3 behind and came from 9-4 down to finish the second session trailing 9-7.
When this evening’s play got underway, it was 48-year-old Higgins who cranked up the heat by taking the opener to pull within one at 9-8. However, that would prove to be the last frame won by the Glaswegian in this year’s tournament.
Wilson limited his opponent to just 12 points in the next three frames as he swept to a 12-8 advantage, compiling a superb 101 break in the 20th. Higgins had opportunities in the 21st, but a break of 61 from Wilson got him over the line for a momentous win.
He now faces qualifier David Gilbert in the last four. It will be a repeat of the 2019 German Masters final, which was won by Wilson.
“To come off the back of absolute annihilation from John here last year, I had to put that to one side. There is nothing I can do about the past. I just focussed on what was in front of me. All aspects of my game were really strong. My safety was strong, my long potting was good, I scored when I had to and I made some good clearances. I’m really pleased with where my game is at.”
Kyren Wilson
World Number 12
Wilson added: “The key word, which I keep bringing up, is resilience. If you can keep being resilient, then you can destroy a player’s resolve. That is something I managed to do against John. I lost four frames on the bounce between 9-4 and 9-8 then kicked on with four of my own.
“I think all four players that are left in have a chance. It will be a fascinating watch. It is four players that you wouldn’t necessarily have put in at this stage at the start of the tournament. It is great to see new faces and it is an amazing semi-final lineup.”
Higgins said: “He was too powerful for me. That is the best he’s ever hit the ball continuously against me. He had a couple of little wobbles in the first and second session, but he was far too powerful for me. He played great.”