Chris Wakelin said that he was delighted with how he played after securing the 2025 Scottish Open crown in dominant fashion on Sunday.
The 33 year-old thrashed Chang Bingyu 9-2 at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh to pocket the £100,000 top prize.
It represents Wakelin’s second ranking title but a first under the traditional format of the game, with his maiden victory having materialised at the Shoot Out almost three years ago.
In the period since then, the Englishman has established himself as a consistent performer and a member of the top 16.
But more prestigious silverware eluded him, narrowly missing out on further success with final defeats at the 2023 Northern Ireland Open and the 2024 International Championship.
Wakelin made sure that he wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass him by, however.
After briefly trailing 2-1, this year’s World Championship quarter-finalist reeled off eight frames on the spin to get his hands on the Stephen Hendry Trophy.
“It was an incredible game,” Chris Wakelin, who also reached the Saudi Arabia Masters semi-finals this season, told the World Snooker Tour.
“I felt like I got on top of him early in the match, so that first session was a bit of a killer for him.”
“I came out tonight and was determined to get the job done quickly and as pain-free as possible. I’m absolutely delighted with how I played today.
“I wasn’t thinking about matches from the past. I was just focusing on what was in front of me and trying to make the most of my opportunities.
“But Bingyu is an incredible talent. I think he has got an incredibly bright future. It’s a massive shame what happened a couple of years ago.
“But I think he’s on the right path now, and I really hope that he does really well.”
Chang, just 23 and back on the main tour this season following a spell away through suspension, had appeared to settle when he compiled a break of 107 in the third frame to take the front.
But despite boasting impressive victories over the likes of Mark Selby, Mark Allen, and Kyren Wilson in the tournament, the youngster’s inexperience at this stage ultimately proved important.
Wakelin seized control and was formidable in among the balls when given chances to score.
He made breaks of 96, 73, 70, and a brace of 66s in the first session to orchestrate a 6-2 cushion, then compiled runs of 50, 67, and a brilliant 104 to run away to glory during the second session.
“I just believed in myself,” Wakelin said. “That has been the catalyst for me in the last couple of years – trusting in what I’m doing.”
“I was quite nervous last night, I didn’t sleep particularly well. But with such a big match on the line, it’s massively important.
“I had Ronnie saying a few months ago that he thinks I’m going to win a big tournament.
“For other people to say it is lovely, but you’ve got to go and then back it up, do it yourself, and get over the line. I feel like I’ve turned a corner.”
Wakelin celebrated with his family afterwards and admitted that it had been a difficult few weeks with his baby having to spend some time in hospital.
But with a more promising outlook for his daughter’s health, he can enjoy the end of the year with another piece of silverware added to his collection.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better time to do it,” Wakelin continued. “Our daughter turned one yesterday, so we celebrated up here in Edinburgh.”
“My coach Linda and her family live just 20 minutes from here, so it was perfect that she could come over every day.
“My partner Lucy as well, who has been an absolute godsend. It was a tough last few weeks, so everyone has pulled together.
“It has given me the best possible chance this week to do well, so to be standing here with the trophy is for all those guys.”
Featured photo credit: WST
Congratulations to Chris Wakelin on winning a first professional title of real substance. His career trajectory since winning the Shootout indicated a win of this magnitude was pretty likely.
I’d also like to pay tribute to Leo Scullion, who was awarded the final as his last match refereeing, following a career of 26 years. A fourth Scottish Open final was a fitting way to bow out. At the 2016 Scottish Open final, runner-up John Higgins referenced how great it was to.see Leo officiating again after his cancer battle. Scullion refereed two Triple Crown finals: 2012 UK Championship and 2019 World Championship.