November 28th 2024.
Kyren Wilson has successfully made it to the last eight of the UK Championship, and he has caught the attention of Ronnie O'Sullivan, who believes that he is currently the best player in the world. In fact, O'Sullivan even reached out to Wilson to encourage him to take advantage of his prime and rack up titles while he still can.
Wilson had a smooth journey to the quarter-finals, as he comfortably defeated Chris Wakelin with a 6-2 score on Thursday night. His performance in York has been impressive, as he also had a stunning 6-0 victory over Stephen Maguire in his opening match.
O'Sullivan has been thoroughly impressed with the 32-year-old's recent performance and has high hopes for his future, predicting that he will win many significant trophies in the coming years. "It's his consistency that sets him apart," O'Sullivan shared on Eurosport. "He makes the game look effortless, but it's not easy. He's the best player in the world in my opinion."
The Rocket is so confident in Wilson's abilities that he even placed a bet on him reaching the semi-finals, citing his exceptional temperament and solid game. O'Sullivan also recognizes the hard work and resilience that Wilson has put in to reach this point, especially after falling off the tour and working behind a bar. He believes that Wilson's determination and strong mentality will lead him to great success in his snooker career.
"I sent him a text telling him that this is his time to shine and to take advantage of every opportunity because there will come a time when things won't go his way," O'Sullivan revealed. "But he has the game in his hands now, and he needs to make the most of it."
However, despite his impressive wins, Wilson admitted that he has not been feeling like himself during the UK Championship. He confessed feeling anxious and pressured, especially since this is one of the big Triple Crown events. "I am aware that this is my time in the game, and I want to make the most of it," Wilson shared.
O'Sullivan can relate to this feeling, and he praised Wilson for being able to hide it during his matches. "I feel the same way as him," O'Sullivan admitted. "But when you watch him play, you can't tell. Some players show their nerves, but Wilson has a stoic demeanor, and that's a great quality to have."
Wilson's next opponent will either be Jak Jones or Michael Holt, and he will face them in the quarter-finals on Friday. Despite the challenges and pressure he may face, Wilson remains determined to succeed and fulfill his high hopes for his career. As he said, "We never know how things will go until we step on the table, but I am a world champion, and I have big dreams, so I will continue to fight for my goals."
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