Kettering's Wilson sets up another clash with Trump

Kyren Wilson will lock horns with world number one Judd Trump once again today (Friday) after storming into the quarter-finals of the English Open.

The Kettering player, who reached the World Championship final this summer, motored into the last eight after beating Ben Woollaston 4-2 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes last night.

The three-time ranking event winner has dropped just four frames all week and struck breaks of 90 and 70 to down Woollaston.

Trump lies next in waiting for the Northamptonshire star and the world number one has done things the hard way this week after twice battling back from 3-1 behind.

Wilson is relishing the prospect of meeting the 2019 king of the Crucible and says he’ll have to be on his toes if he’s to make the last four.

“Obviously I always look forward to playing him - it’s always a good game and a good contest,” the Kettering man said.

“It gives me a good idea of where my game is at personally, so I’ll have to be on my toes for that.”

Wilson, meanwhile, is urging his fans not to hold their breath for a second consecutive Home Nations Series 147 maximum break.

He memorably hit the headlines at the Welsh Open before lockdown with a brilliant 147 at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

A lot has changed since then and Wilson admits he doesn’t fancy his chances of another maximum but achieving the feat behind closed doors would be just as special.

“No, don’t be expecting anymore 147s from me!” the 28-year-old laughed.

“It would still be nice because it’s just complete perfection in our sport and it’s what we strive to be able to do.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s a crowd or not and I think having a 147 for a personal achievement is still big.

“I think the first three rounds I was a little bit ropey and the concentration was slipping in and out but I knew that Ben’s a great player, has had a couple of wins this week so I had to be on top form.

“I feel really confident and comfortable in my game in general - I’m really happy at the moment.

"That’s not to say I’m going to get carried away with things, but it’s a good sign that it’s back-to-back quarter-finals in the first couple of events and it’s showing where my form’s at.”

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