Kyren misses out on another maximum but he's still in the frame at the Scottish Open
Kyren Wilson admitted he should have written himself into the snooker history books after missing out on a third 147 break in the space of a year.
The Kettering potter won a 4-3 thriller against Barry Hawkins in the last 16 of the Scottish Open but missed a golden opportunity for a maximum break in the third frame.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe world No.5 was perfectly set before a misjudged red left him out of position and meant he had to settle for a 113 instead.
Wilson made maximums at this year’s Welsh Open and last month’s UK Championship – and reckons a 2020 hat-trick would have been truly unique.
“It would have been awesome to have one in close proximity to another one,” the 28-year-old said.
“And I think that could have been three in one year, which I’m not sure would have been done before!
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“That was in the back of my mind, and I just made the wrong decision on the last red. I should have played for it in the middle instead of the corner.
“It was a really, really good match – very heavy scoring and there could have been seven centuries in all the frames.
“Having the back-to-back [centuries] just broke down on the maximum, and I made the wrong decision on the last red.
“I had a little bit of luck in the decider, but I’m proud of the way I managed to take it out in one visit.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWilson and Hawkins exchanged blow after blow at the Marshall Arena as a high-scoring affair unfolded under the lights.
2013 World Championship finalist Hawkins took the lead with a break of 64 before Wilson, a four-time ranking event winner, struck majestic back-to-back centuries – including that spurned 147 opportunity – to edge in front.
Hawkins then made a fine 102 of his own before the pair exchanged the next two frames with efforts of 83 and 74.
That teed up a grandstand finish but a fluke from Wilson – from a misjudged plant – laid the foundations for an 81 clearance and a quarter-final clash against world No.80 Jamie Jones.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWilson beat Michael Holt in his third round match earlier in the day but says he’ll be raring to go when he faces the Welshman today (Friday).
“I actually feel fresh coming into a match like that and felt more drained coming into the morning, because it was a bit scrappy this morning,” he added.
“When the game goes like that and you’re both flowing and scoring heavily, you feel quite fresh afterwards.”
Wellingborough's Jamie O'Neill, meanwhile, saw his fine run at the Scottish Open ended in the last 16.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdO'Neill, currently ranked 92 in the world, knocked in breaks of 73 and 57 as he enjoyed an impressive 4-2 victory over former world champion Shaun Murphy in the last 32 yesterday afternoon.
That set up a clash with world No.10 Ding Junhui but O'Neill was edged out 4-3 in a final-frame decider after breaks of 62 and 75 had put him 3-1 up at one stage.
Watch the Scottish Open live on Eurosport, Eurosport app, and stream on discovery+
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.