Kyren Wilson achieved a commendable victory on Friday evening, booking a place in the semi-finals of the UK Championship by defeating Michael Holt with a scoreline of 6-3. Wilson’s performance was characterized by an assertive beginning, where he quickly capitalized on opportunities, demonstrating his skill and readiness to advance in the tournament. Right from the start, he made his mark with a swift half-century, exploiting a red ball that was precariously positioned near the bottom left pocket.
Despite a halt in his run at 52 points, Wilson had built a significant lead as Holt could only muster a meager 14 points in the opening frame. Wilson continued his momentum, successfully potting an additional 14 points, which enabled him to close that frame decisively. As the match progressed, the world No. 2 showcased his prowess and was aptly described by journalist Philip Studd from Webpressnews as “potting like a demon.” His confidence and exceptional skill were evident as he established a two-frame lead, marking his dominance on the baize.
The match evolved into a tactical affair, particularly in the early stages. However, Wilson seized the opportunity when Holt inadvertently sent the cue ball into a pocket after failing to strike a nearby red ball adequately. Seizing the moment, Wilson delivered an impressive 72 break, illustrating to Holt that any misjudgments would be capitalized on effectively. The third frame unfolded with Holt’s occasional lapses in safety play, which allowed Wilson to extend his lead to 3-0, exhibiting superb potting and accuracy.
Holt, ranked No. 98 in the world, was not prepared to concede defeat easily. He initiated a comeback, starting with a determined break of 31 after Wilson missed a long red. Holt then recorded the highest break of the match so far at 64 points, which reduced Wilson’s lead and injected some excitement back into the match. However, Wilson regained control and showcased his skills again by clearing the table with a robust break of 72 points, placing him within striking distance of victory.
Even as the match unfolded, Holt threatened to make a remarkable comeback, demonstrating breaks of considerable quality. Yet, Wilson’s competitive spirit enabled him to maintain a comfortable lead as he ultimately secured the match with a three-frame cushion. Though he flirted with the idea of a maximum break, a missed shot on the black ball thwarted that ambition. Nonetheless, it was a solid performance for Wilson, who now prepares for a semi-final contest against Judd Trump, the world champion who previously triumphed over Zhang Anda with a score of 6-2 earlier that same day.
In a parallel match, Mark Allen faced off against Jack Lisowski, securing a spot in the semi-finals against Barry Hawkins after a compelling 6-3 victory. Reflecting on his improved performance, Allen revealed to Webpressnews that a crucial factor was his determination to avoid the feelings of being “lost,” which had plagued him in earlier matches, particularly against Jackson. He had been struggling with his alignment, resulting in missed shots, but with the aid of an alignment tool, he found a semblance of his former confidence.
Allen commenced the match with a powerful start, exhibiting a break of 59 points. Lisowski, however, surged back to level the match with a remarkable century break of 114 in the second frame. The subsequent frames consisted of intense tactical exchanges, with Lisowski appearing to gain the upper hand at times. He managed a break of 88 to lead 3-1 at the interval. Yet, Allen displayed resilience and quickly equalized at 3-3 with a sensational 103 break.
The contest continued with Allen eventually pulling ahead, as Lisowski struggled to maintain his earlier momentum. As the match neared its conclusion, Allen found himself in a precarious position when Lisowski sought three snookers—indicative of the pressure both players were enduring. After a prolonged bout of tension with nearly 17 minutes of missed shots, Allen regained his composure, sinking the key balls and sealing his victory amidst a spirited effort from Lisowski.
Post-match, Allen acknowledged that while he may not have executed anything remarkable, his mental resilience in the face of adversity was crucial to his eventual win. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, which often enables him to come through in challenging matches. As both players look forward to their semi-final showdowns, the anticipation of continued top-tier snooker action remains high. Fans can catch all the excitement and drama of the UK Championship through live streaming on Webpressnews and discovery+.
