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World Champion Kyren Wilson battled hard to beat Zhou Yuelong 5-3 and set up a repeat of the Crucible final against Jak Jones at the Machineseeker German Masters in Berlin.
The Englishman has enjoyed a fine campaign since claiming World Championship glory last year, having already racked up two titles at the Xi’an Grand Prix and the Northern Ireland Open.
Wilson made the final at the Johnstone's Paint Masters in London just over a week ago, where he fell just short 10-7 against Shaun Murphy in the title match.
The Warrior had trailed 2-0 in today’s game, requiring a snooker in the third, but got the required penalty points and stole on the black. He then claimed the fourth to make it 2-2 at the mid-session.
When play resumed, runs of 72 and 100 helped him on his way to coming through with a 5-3 victory.
Afterwards, Wilson admitted he is relishing facing Jones again and said that it has been hard to recover from his loss in the title match at Alexandra Palace.
Wilson said: “Jak came back at me in the world final and I had to fight hard to keep him at bay. I was under so much pressure in that match. I needed to get the win and the burden of becoming World Champion off my back. I’ve kicked on now. He’s had a good season as well, making a lot of centuries. I’m going to need to play really well.
“At 2-0 down today, I was all at sea. I couldn’t really settle in the match, but Zhou got off to a great start. I managed to get a snooker in the third frame and that flipped the match on its head.
“It is tough recovering from the Masters, because the Triple Crown events have so much on them. When you get to the final, you only have one more hurdle and you are so close. To fall at that stage is difficult to take. I feel like I’m a winner and I want to win as much as I can. I’ve had a couple of days off and straight back into it to prepare for this week.”
Wilson Winning Interview
Jones has been in fine break building form this season and continued that that with a contribution of 106 during his 5-3 defeat of four-time World Champion John Higgins.
The Welshman has hammered home 52 centuries so far this term, only Judd Trump has made more. The 32 he’s crafted in the BetVictor Championship League mean he now holds the record for most ever centuries made in a single event.
World number one and defending champion Trump came through with a 5-0 whitewash win over Joe O’Connor this afternoon.
The Ace in the Pack fired in runs of 77, 76, 75, 80 and 100 on his way to a straightforward win this afternoon. He now faces a blockbuster last 16 meeting with Neil Robertson.
Australia’s Robertson made four centuries on his way to a narrow 5-4 win over Hammad Miah. He powered home breaks of 125, 100, 113 and 131 during the match.
Swiss number one Alexander Ursenbacher scored a superb 5-0 win over Ali Carter and will now face Wu Yize, who edged Mark Allen 5-4 in a thriller.
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Recently crowned Masters champion Murphy continued his perfect start to the week with a 5-0 whitewash win over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
The Magician is yet to drop a frame in Berlin, as he seeks his first ever German Masters crown. He top scored with 100 this evening and now faces China's Yuan Sijun in the last 16.
Englishman Murphy said: "From whatever is left of my career, there could be five years or there could be ten, I really want to push on. I don't want there to be such a big gap between successes. Does that mean I'm going to win this week? No, but I'm going to try my best.
"I said to some friends that what I'd achieved might sink in when I'm introduced by Rolf Kalb as the Masters champion. That has certainly been the case. To be introduced as a major winner again, has certainly given me an extra bit of bounce in my step. More importantly it has given me that self belief."
Elliot Slessor scored a late night 5-4 win over Mark Selby. With the clock beyond midnight, Slessor fired in a nerveless 94 break in the decider to secure his progression. He now faces Xiao Guodong in the last 16.
Anthony McGill produced a fine display to beat 2023 World Champion Luca Brecel 5-2. That sets up a last 16 clash with former International Champion Zhang Anda, who defeated Robert Milkins 5-2.