Encouraging run ended as Kettering's Kyren Wilson suffers Scottish Open exit

Reigning world champion Wilson had eased into the last 16 with consecutive 4-1 victories on day one and two, but he was on the wrong end of the same scoreline as he was dumped out by China's Chang Bingyu.

Wilson lost the first frame as Bingyu produced a 125 clearance but then hit back to lebel thanks to a 52 break.

But that was to be the Kettering man's only visit to the table of note as Bingyu ran away with the next three frames, adding another century knock along the way, to ease into the last eight.

It was a landmark victory for the world number 70, who said: "I‘m quite satisfied with my performance. Facing the world number two, I didn't think I could win. I was just focusing on playing my own game.

"I felt a bit lucky in some of the key moments because Kyren obviously didn’t play well."

Wilson, who is based at Barratts Club in Northampton, looked to be back on track after a sticky spell as he had secured straightforward wins over two other Chinese players in the first two rounds in Edinburgh.

He saw off world number 108 Gao Yang 4-1 in his opener and then repeated the trick in the second round against world number 27 Junxu Pang.

Wilson said that victory was 'a confidence booster' after his troubles at the UK Championships, where he was beaten in the first round and admitted he was close to a 'mental breakdown' after issues with his cue.

The cue he used to win the world title in 2024 has been damaged, and it has taken time for Wilson to feel comfortable using a new stick, but he is hoping he has finally got one that is he right fit.

"I needed a bit of a confidence booster I think. He was quite nervous and I needed that as a little bit of a boost," said Wilson after the win over Junxu.

"I'm using a new cue which I picked up last Sunday. I've had just over a week with it and I trust it. I feel really good with it.

"Match conditions are different though, so this event is a bit of a sparring session for me to warm into it. Good times are ahead I think.

"It was well documented what happened in the UK Championship. I went through about four cues and changed my cue the night before the game. You have no chance doing that.

"For the first time in three or four months I've practised with the same cue for a week with no hassle and no worries. Hopefully that is a sign of good things to come."

Those good times will now have to wait for a few weeks, as Wilson can look forward to a break over Christmas before heading to Alexandra Palace in London for the Masters in January.

Wilson has been drawn to play world number 15 Si Jiahui in the Masters, which features the world’s top 16 players.

The Masters gets underway on Sunday, January 11, with the final a week later on January 18.