Kettering's Wilson climbs rankings despite Indian Open final defeat

The Kettering snooker star enjoyed a fine week and earned his place in the showpiece after beating Nigel Bond 4-1 in the semi-finals with a top break of 72.

But he was unable to add to the Shanghai Masters title he won in September last year.

However, the £25,000 he claimed for finishing as runner-up moved him up one place in the world rankings to 15.

The first four frames of the final were shared, Wilson making the better breaks with 65 in the second and a 50 clearance in the fourth.

McGill then took control after the interval as a run of 96 put him ahead and he controlled the sixth frame to lead 4-2.

Both players had chances in the 39-minute seventh frame and it came down to the last red. McGill potted the red to a centre pocket to initiate a match-winning clearance which included an excellent green to gain position on the brown.

McGill paid tribute to Wilson after the final and said: ““I have known Kyren since we were about 12, we played in all the same junior tournaments.

“He’s had an unbelievable year because he won a ranking event then he followed it up with a lot of quarter and semi-finals. He has shown that he is here to stay and I hope I can keep up.”

Wilson will now be preparing for the next ranking event - the World Open - which is being staged in Yushan, China from July 25.