Kyren Wilson Captures German Masters Trophy

Kyren Wilson has captured the German Masters trophy after a late comeback denied David Gilbert at the Tempodrom on Sunday.

In a topsy-turvy tie that ebbed one way and then the other, Wilson won the last four frames to seal a 9-7 victory over his fellow Englishman.

Gilbert had rallied tremendously from an early 4-1 deficit to land six out of the following seven frames and establish a 7-5 advantage in the evening session.

The 15-minute interval came at the wrong time for the 37 year-old, though, who was by far and away in the ascendancy at that point.

Indeed, Wilson’s challenge looked to be wilting as he struggled to live up to his favourite’s tag with a succession of routine misses.

Yet, the Kettering cueist returned from the brief respite a different animal and demonstrated the amazing temperament that he possesses.

After reducing his arrears to one, the 27 year-old rode his luck in the 14th frame before orchestrating a quite superb clearance to restore parity and leave his opponent stunned.

Gilbert, who squandered a 9-5 lead in the World Open final earlier this season as he lost the final five frames in a painful defeat to world champion Mark Williams, began to feel the pressure.

Still, the “Angry Farmer” couldn’t have legislated for an ill-timed mobile phone going off in the arena when he was about to launch an attack in the following frame.

Gilbert’s subsequent missed red allowed Wilson to regain the initiative and a couple of bites of the cherry were enough for the latter to duly seal success.

By lifting the German Masters trophy, Wilson adds a third ranking event crown to his collection and a second in Germany this season following his prior victory in Furth’s Paul Hunter Classic.

The 2018 Masters runner-up once again highlighted his potential as a credible future world champion.

Wilson’s game looked in disarray at one point as Gilbert dominated to seemingly grab control.

However, the manner in which he transformed his fortunes late on, never shying away from a frame-winning opportunity and finding the heart of the pocket more often than not, is a testament to his self belief and ability to get the job done.

A third piece of silverware for Wilson in a tournament of this stature contrasts with Gilbert’s now unenviable record of a hat-trick of defeats from the trio of finals he has contested.

Anthony Hamilton’s famous triumph in Berlin two years ago ended one of the most obvious arguments to the debate as to who was the best player to have never won a ranking tournament.

Gilbert, who rises to a career-high world ranking of 17, must now stand atop that unwanted list.

Indeed, it’s a wonder if he’ll ever get better chances than the ones he’s manufactured for himself during this campaign.

Once again, the Tempodrom proved to be a brilliant backdrop to what is one of the most popular competitions on the calendar.

“It’s amazing for me,” said Wilson immediately before being awarded the £80,000 champion’s cheque and the German Masters trophy.

“Every time I come to Germany, the fans are absolutely amazing. They make the atmosphere electric every year.

“As a snooker fan, we are very lucky to play in a venue like this.”

Wilson doesn’t have much time to celebrate with the World Grand Prix getting under way on Monday in Cheltenham.

But his status as a rising member of the game’s elite has been strengthened with another stellar performance in claiming victory.