"Basically not a pot to pee in" Kyren Wilson revisits career breakthrough that shocked the snooker world

The world number two moved a step closer to the £210,000 top prize on offer at the Luwan Gymnasium after defeating record five-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-3 in Thursday's quarter-finals.

Wilson compiled two centuries during the match and five other breaks over 50 in a free-scoring display. Along with the three he registered in his world record-equalling opening assignment against Si Jiahui, Wilson now has five tons for the tournament already.

Next up for the Englishman is a blockbuster semi-final clash with home hero Zhao Xintong on Saturday; a contest pitching together the last two winners of the World Championship.

The pair have previously met four times on the professional circuit, but these were relatively low-key affairs either in qualifiers or held behind-closed-doors.

The Shanghai Masters holds very dear memories for Wilson as it was the event where he won his maiden professional title in 2015, back when the competition was ranked and open to all tour card holders. At the time - as a qualifier ranked 54th in the world - Wilson was one of the unlikeliest winners of a ranking event, ever.

Speaking to the World Snooker Tour after his victory over O'Sullivan, 33-year-old Wilson was asked to revisit that memorable triumph nearly a decade on.

"It changed my life ten years ago" said Wilson. "Sort of not knowing where my career was going - down in the 50s or 60s in the rankings, I believe. Basically not a pot to pee in.

"Finley came along (Kyren's first son), I think he was six months old at the time, he was born in the February and the Shanghai Masters was around September when it used to be a ranking event. Came here with no expectations and won that tournament.”

The road to winning that unexpected title was an arduous one for Wilson, who had to navigate a total of nine matches.

Three of those were qualifying ties held in England a few weeks before where he dispatched Mark King and Anthony McGill en route.

At the main venue in the Far East, Wilson then had to defeat Wang Yuchen in a wildcard round to take his place in the last 32 draw.

Following victories over Joe Perry and Michael Holt, Wilson ousted Ding Junhui 5-4 on the last black in a thrilling quarter-final before dispatching Mark Allen 6-1 in the last four.

But the best was yet to come in the final, as Wilson upset the odds again to pip Judd Trump 10-9 and collect a life-changing £85,000 winner's kitty.

Pretty much ever since then, Wilson has remained within the top echelons of the sport, although within the past 18 months ‘The Warrior’ has taken his career to new heights by securing his first Crucible crown and four further ranking event titles.

Looking at the impact and legacy of his breakthrough success in 2015, Wilson added “I’m really proud of the fact that after I won that I actually stayed in the top 16 for the next ten years, and I think that is a really difficult thing to do nowadays, so I’m pleased I managed to kick on after winning that.”

Please visit our 2025 Shanghai Masters tournament information page here for the draw, results, format, match schedule, how to watch details and prize money payouts.