In a report by Live Snooker, Kyren Wilson booked his place in the 2026 Champion of Champions final on Saturday after holding on for a 6-4 win over Shaun Murphy.
Wilson surged into a 5-1 lead at the Mattioli Arena by hitting breaks of 138, 92, 91, and 75. Murphy then reduced the deficit to a single frame at 5-4 before a break of 110 ended the match.
“That match brought me back to the World Championship semi-final against Shaun, where I steamed ahead and he clawed back,” Wilson told ITV4.
“I’ve not got the best record against Shaun, he always plays incredible against me, so I was expecting the same tonight. He’s such a good potter, he can put you under the pressure when he gets in his strut,” Wilson added.
Murphy arrived at the tournament having won 12 of the 13 most recent frames he had contested against Wilson. He also strung together 10 frames without reply against Ronnie O’Sullivan and Chang Bingyu earlier in the week.
Wilson halted Murphy’s momentum immediately with an opening break of 138. He followed up by doubling his lead after Murphy overcut the yellow in the second frame.
Murphy claimed his first frame with an 82, but Wilson responded with a 91 to restore his breathing room before the mid-session interval. Further runs of 75 and 92 moved the world number eight to the brink of victory.
Murphy mounted a comeback by taking the seventh frame on the colours. He then controlled the next two frames with contributions of 58, 46, and 83 to move within one frame of his opponent.
Wilson stopped the fightback in the tenth frame, sealing the victory and his spot in the final against Chris Wakelin.
“Chris Wakelin is having a great spell, winning the Scottish Open to rightfully be in this tournament,” Wilson told ITV4, looking ahead to Sunday’s match.
“So, hopefully tomorrow, we give the fans a good match to watch. It’s a fantastic opportunity for both of us. I know Chris will fancy the job, and I do too. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Wilson added.
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