Kyren Wilson’s wife fights back tears as Masters champion jokes: ‘I hate this game’

Kyren Wilson has finally won the Masters as he convincingly beat John Higgins in the final.

The former world champion scooped a whopping £350,000 in prize money with his 10-6 victory at London’s Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

BBC

Meanwhile, Higgins will take home £140,000 after their final defeat.

It is the first Masters triumph of Wilson’s career having finished as runner-up in last year’s final. Wilson also lost the 2018 final having been beaten by Mark Allen.

He had been visibly emotional after clinching the win, with his wife holding back tears as she watched him lift the trophy.

Speaking inside the arena after the final, Wilson said: “In 2018 I lost in the final and cried, I’m trying not to cry now as it means so much to me.

“It was just an absolute dogfight and I tried to be as dogged as John has been over the years, I’m glad he’s managed to give me one for a change.

“I never make it easy for myself, I always seem to do it the hard way. I don’t know why, it frustrates the hell out of me, but I will always give it my all.

“Even if I’m struggling I will fight until the end until I finally get my hands on some silverware.”

The world No.2 added: “I’ll be honest, I thought at the UK Championship I was gone, I honestly didn’t know if I was ever going to be back in the winners’ enclosure. So I came here with a new lease of life.

“People don’t see what happens behind closed doors but I was in a bad way at the UK, really really suffering.”

His winning moment had followed a light-hearted exchange with the crowd during the final frame.

After a spectator had shouted: “Come on Kyren,” he quipped: “I’m trying.”

Facing a tricky long pink to remain at the table, Wilson then joked: “I hate this game sometimes.”

Wilson had raced into an early lead after losing the opening frame in the best of 19 encounter.

Having moved 3-1 in front, though, he was pegged back by Higgins before the end of the afternoon session.

The Warrior would retake the lead ahead of the match’s conclusion in the evening, though.

A pair of century breaks of 103 and 111 from Wilson saw him end the afternoon with a 5-3 lead in a race to ten.

He and Higgins traded frames as the evening session got underway before Wilson won three in a row to move within touching distance of victory.

Although the four-time world champion pulled another back to frustrate Wilson, he was able to win the 16th frame to clinch the title.

Masters final suspended

The match had also been suspended after just two frames after a medical emergency in the crowd.

With the contest level at 1-1, both players were taken off as a result of the incident involving a spectator.

During the delay, the BBC’s live TV broadcast returned to presenter Hazel Irvine in the studio alongside snooker icons Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis.

PA

Explaining the delay, Irvine said: “I should tell you that we have had something of a medical emergency.

“I understand that things are in hand at the moment. So the players have both been taken off for the time being.

“So it does give us time to reflect on the events earlier in the week.”

After the players returned to the arena, she added: “We are hearing that the lady who had become unwell in the audience is fine.

“She’s just leaving the auditorium right now. Our best wishes to her and her family.

“We understand that the players are on their way back to resume this final in our first session here at Alexandra Palace. Here they come.

“It’s hot, it’s always an intense atmosphere. Not just for the players but, of course, for the 2,000-plus spectators.

“It has happened a couple of times through the week. But all is well we understand and we are ready to rock once again as we start frame three.”