By World Snooker Tour

Kyren Wilson admitted to suffering from performance related anxiety this week in York, but still scored a 6-2 win over Chris Wakelin to seal his place in the quarter-finals of the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship.

Despite facing some mental demons, Wilson is now three wins away from securing a second Triple Crown title. He claimed his first earlier this year when he became World Champion for the first time in his career, beating Jak Jones 18-14 in the Crucible final. 

There's been no hangover this term from that momentous achievement. He's backed that up with tournament wins at the Xi'an Grand Prix and the Northern Ireland Open. On both occasions Wilson prevailed in finals against world number one Judd Trump. 

The Warrior's best run in York thus far came in 2021, when he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan on the way to the semi-finals, where he lost out to Luca Brecel. He now faces English compatriot Michael Holt for a return to the last four. 

It's a disappointing defeat for Wakelin, but he can take solace for qualifying for a Triple Crown tournament as a member of the world's top 16 for the first time. The Rugby cueman burst into snooker's elite tier earlier this month with a run to the International Championship final. 

Wilson crafted breaks of 85 and 108 on his way to establishing a 2-1 lead. It had looked like the fourth was going the way of Wakelin, before a missed final black off the spot allowed Wilson to steal and lead 3-1. 

After the following two frames were traded, leaving Wilson leading 4-2, the Kettering cueman then made 63 to come from 52-0 down and win the seventh. He then added the eighth to get over the line and book his place in the quarter-finals. 

"I've felt really anxious this week. I don't know what it is. I don't know if it is that these big Triple Crown events have that much more feel to them. I'm quite aware that this is my time in the game and I want to make the most of it," said 32-year-old Wilson told Eurosport.

"When I go out there it is fine. My cue action does the work and all of my preparation throughout the years does the work. I enjoy it. I played on Monday and I've been twiddling my thumbs for a few days. It is the what if's. It is horrible and I hate it.

"I thought it was a lot better than round one and if you improve gradually round by round then that is a recipe for success."

On the other table, Holt earned his place in a first UK Championship quarter-final since 1999, with a thrilling 6-5 defeat of Crucible finalist Jak Jones.

The Hitman was beaten in the last eight 25 years ago when he bowed out 9-6 against John Higgins. Recent years have been tougher for Holt. After falling off the tour in 2022, Holt returned this season thanks to his performances on the Q Tour. 

Having trailed 5-2, Holt was extremely demonstrative showing his frustration with himself. However, at that point a switch clicked. Breaks of 86, 68 and 86 helped him to four on the bounce and a massive win.

Defeat will taste especially bitter for Jones, as it ends his hopes of qualifying for January's Johnstone's Paint Masters. 

Holt said: "I said to myself before today, don't flop it. I've been in these positions before. To be honest I was lucky to win. I've had enough chances to win 18 frames. I'm lucky to win, but I take those chances when I'm practising. I just kept punching and kept swinging. Luckily I got over the line."