Kyren Wilson admits Crucible loss was 'kick in the teeth' as he bounces back to beat Ali Carter for Shanghai Masters glory

React to this story

Kyren Wilson admitted that he was still feeling sore after the previous season's World Championship, where he was defeated in the first round. However, a win over current world champion Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals set up a clash on Sunday in the final of the Shanghai Masters against Ali Carter. Wilson was happy with an early win to kick off a fresh snooker campaign.

Wilson lets out huge roar after stealing frame to wrap up thrilling Shanghai Masters victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Kyren Wilson has admitted his first-round exit at the World Championship was a "kick in the teeth" as he recovered from failing to defend his Crucible title by taking glory at the Shanghai Masters.

Wilson was the defending champion in Sheffield and arrived on the back of four titles in the 2024/25 season, but suffered a 10-9 loss to Lei Peifan.

After a summer of rest, Wilson made the ideal start to the new season with an 11-9 win over Ali Carter in the final in Shanghai.

Shanghai Masters

Trump and Wilson show future can be bright for British snooker despite Hendry prediction

03/08/2026 at 08:50

The disappointment of falling at the first hurdle at the World Championship weighed on Wilson, so he was delighted to begin the new campaign in fine style.

"It was a huge kick in the teeth going out in the first round of the World Championship," he said. "I don’t have that world title tag any more. But I’ve carried on in the same form. It is important to kick off the season in good fashion.

"This sets me up nicely for what is to come. I’ve had to wait a long time to get going again in professional competition, but this was definitely worth the wait."

The 33-year-old won his first ranking title at the Shanghai Masters in 2015, and while it no longer provides points for players on the tour, it retains plenty of significance, not least because of a £210,000 prize for the winner.

Wilson extends lead in Shanghai Masters final with classy century

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wilson had fought his way past world champion Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals and speaking after the win, he said he was starting to flag against Carter.

He said: "I knew I had to take out that clearance at the end. Fatigue was starting to slip in. I didn’t want to face Ali in a final frame because his success rate in deciders this week has been fantastic.

"He is a great champion and made it really difficult all day long. I had to summon up every ounce of concentration and composure to drop that long red in and clear up. I held myself together, and then you saw all of the emotions."

Wilson continued: "This is the biggest Chinese event we have and with the snooker market growing and growing it is important to try and land these titles. I was just starting to fatigue towards the end and to pot the red and clear up was a massive feather in my cap."

Wilson will now head over to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters which kicks off on Friday, August 8.

Stream top snooker action live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Shanghai Masters