Kyren Wilson laps up Ally Pally crowd to battle past ‘fantastic’ Zhang Anda in thriller - ‘I had to hang on in there’

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Despite being outshone in the potting department, Kyren Wilson battled past Zhang Anda to reach the quarter-finals of the 2025 Masters at Alexandra Palace. Zhang displayed some inspired long pots as the pair fought vociferously in a thrilling afternoon encounter, but Wilson showed his credentials as world champion to pick up valuable pots at the right times and advance in the January showpiece.

'He showed why he's world champion' - Clinical Wilson downs Zhang in thriller

Video credit: TNT Sports

Kyren Wilson displayed a clinical performance to advance to the Masters quarter-finals, after downing an inspired Zhang Anda 6-4 at Alexandra Palace.

Zhang's potting total completely eclipsed the world champion and the Chinese star dazzled with some spectacular long pots.

But Wilson's ability to kill off frames ultimately prevailed in front of a buoyant London crowd.

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"Every credit to Zhang, I thought he played fantastic," Wilson told Eurosport. "I've never seen such a consistent display of long potting; it wasn't like I was leaving a long one.

"It was a variety of different long shots that he was nailing every time. I was petrified every time a ball stuck out because he was just potting it. I had to hang on in there and nick the odd frame."

On playing in front of the capacity Ally Pally crowd, Wilson added: "It's nuts and it drives me nuts. I've dyed my hair three times this week. I love playing here and I've had a couple of close calls in the past few years. I hate going out of this tournament early. I love playing in front of all of you."

'I was petrified' - Wilson heaps praise on Zhang after scintillating first-round showdown

Video credit: TNT Sports

It took little time for the match to find rhythm in front of the bumper London crowd, as Zhang posted a neat 51, but left an opportunity for the world champion to steal as he broke down.

Wilson built a response of 46 before faltering on an attempted double on a red, gifting Zhang a golden chance to open his account - but the Chinese star himself spurned the opportunity for Wilson to grab the go-ahead frame.

But Zhang made no such mistakes in the second, levelling the first-round clash with ease by posting a strong break of 85.

Zhang's inability to kill off frames proved his undoing in the early stages, as Wilson soon built a 3-1 lead, the Englishman neatly clearing the table in the fourth frame to render Zhang's 64 not enough.

The world No. 10, though, appeared inspired after the interval, and restored parity with strong displays of potting in the subsequent two frames.

'Absolutely incredible' - Ally Pally marvels as Zhang slams home magnificent red

Video credit: TNT Sports

He again suffered a scare as a poor red to green pocket saw him spurn frame-ball, but the cue ball landed fortuitously to make a Wilson steal seem impossible, eventually crawling over the line before a fantastic 83 break levelled the tie, extending Wilson's potting woes to over 40 minutes.

The Warrior, though, would re-take the lead, showing no sign of rustiness from his lack of potting, to pounce and post a 69 clearance and steal for a 4-3 advantage.

The match continued to prove a tightly-fought affair, and Zhang again brought it level with the highest break of the tournament so far, posting a sensational 141 as he continued to score highly.

'Outstanding' - Zhang posts highest break of Masters so far with stunning 141

Video credit: TNT Sports

But Wilson's game-killing instincts were again on full display to close within a frame of victory, capitalising on a slack Zhang effort on a black which crashed against the jaws, the Chinese player visibly angry with the outcome.

And the world champion claimed victory in an edgy tenth frame to ultimately seal passage to the quarter-final, where he will face Luca Brecel.

Watch and stream The Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+

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