Kyren Wilson Unruffled by Missed Shot That Denied Him Snooker History
Kyren Wilson, the reigning World Snooker Champion, has spoken out after an audacious attempt at a no-look shot during his match against Si Jiahui at the Shanghai Masters cost him the chance to set a new record for century breaks. Despite missing out on a place in snooker’s history books, Wilson remains upbeat and unrepentant, emphasising his commitment to entertaining the crowd and pushing boundaries in the modern game.
The match in question witnessed remarkable levels of play, with both Wilson and his Chinese opponent, Si Jiahui, trading century breaks in a contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. By the final frame of their best-of-11 encounter, six centuries had been registered, equalling long-standing records held by snooker luminaries such as Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, and Mark Selby.
As the deciding frame unfolded, Wilson found himself just one pot away from breaking the record for the most centuries recorded in such a format. With a score of 97 and the black ball left for a 104 break, the Kettering star opted for flair over caution. Attempting to sink the black with an eye-catching no-look shot—a gesture aimed at thrilling the Chinese fans—he missed when the ball ricocheted off the pocket’s jaws. Despite narrowly missing out on the chance for a historic tally, Wilson remains philosophical about his decision.
Speaking candidly to the World Snooker Tour after the match, Wilson acknowledged the boldness of his attempt but insisted that he wouldn’t change a thing. “Oh no! I did the silly no-look thing,” Wilson admitted with a smile, before explaining, “Especially in China, snooker is really taking off and I wanted to give the fans something special. Sometimes it’s about doing things a bit differently and bringing personality to the table.”
Although unaware of the ongoing record attempt at the time, Wilson made it clear that even with full knowledge of the situation, he would still have opted for the riskier shot. “The crowd here appreciate showmanship—having a bit of fun, trying a no-look black,” he explained. “It didn’t break the record, but honestly, I didn’t know about the record at the time. It was just one of those moments where you want to offer something a bit different.”
Wilson’s performance throughout the match was a testament to both his skill and resilience. Facing a determined Si Jiahui, Wilson had to overcome several deficits—trailing 3-1, then 4-3, and once again at 5-4. Both players produced extraordinary breaks, with Si notching runs of 55, 124, 139, 95, and 127, while Wilson himself contributed with breaks of 120, 82, 114, 114, and 83. The high standard of play means the match is likely to be remembered as one of the most entertaining best-of-11 encounters in recent memory.
Reflecting further, Wilson praised Si Jiahui’s performance, describing the contest as one of the toughest he’s ever faced. “I don’t think a game could get much harder than that,” Wilson observed. “Up until the deciding frame, Si barely missed a ball—his consistency was frightening. I’m glad the hard work I’ve put in is paying off and allows me to stay in tough matches like this.”
The result sees Wilson move on to the quarter-finals, where he will face either Ronnie O’Sullivan or Barry Hawkins in what promises to be another captivating match-up. Despite missing out on a slice of history, Wilson’s willingness to inject fun and innovation into the sport is earning him plaudits from fans and pundits alike.
As snooker continues to evolve in appeal, especially in markets like China where the sport’s popularity is booming, Wilson’s brand of risk-taking and showmanship could be just what’s needed to engage new audiences. “We’re moving into a modern era of snooker; it’s brilliant to see players trying something creative,” he concluded.
Wilsons’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the spectacle and the spirit of the game can be just as important as records themselves—a philosophy that is likely to inspire both existing fans and newcomers to the sport.