World number eight Kyren Wilson believes that being a former champion will help him when he steps out in the “cauldron” like atmosphere at Berlin’s iconic Tempodrom for this week’s BetVictor German Masters.
Wilson captured the title in 2019, when he defeated David Gilbert 9-7 in a thrilling final in front of over 2,000 fans in the German capital. He now returns there with the ambition of claiming the victory for a second time. A strong run this week would put Wilson in pole position for the £150,000 BetVictor Series bonus. He’s currently in third spot, but with Mark Selby and Mark Allen failing to qualify, the door is ajar for the Kettering cueman.
Germany has been a happy hunting ground for the Warrior, with three of his five ranking titles to date coming in the country. He also won the Paul Hunter Classic in 2018 and claimed victory at the BetVictor European Masters earlier this season, both of those wins were in Fürth.
Part of this success was down to former WST director and Wilson’s former manager Brandon Parker, who sadly passed away 2020. Parker played an integral role in taking the sport to Germany and the German Masters trophy has been named in his honour.
Wilson is desperate to get his hands on the Brandon Parker Trophy and believes he can draw on his previous experiences this week in Berlin…
Kyren, how much are you looking forward to competing at the Tempodrom again?
“I’m really looking forward to it. The Tempodrom is one of the best venues that we play at. When it comes down to the single table set up, it is incredible. I always enjoy going over to Germany, so it is something I’m really excited for.
“It is completely unique. They make their own special atmosphere in Germany. It is quite rapturous in there at times. The closest you can get to it is the Masters in London. It is a brilliant atmosphere in Berlin and a tournament I always enjoy playing in.”
How do you reflect on your win over David Gilbert in that memorable 2019 final?
“I remember finishing the first session 5-3 up and playing some really good snooker to hold the lead. The second session started off completely differently. Dave played so well to win the first four frames and go 7-5 up on me. We went in for the interval and I needed to get myself together. When play resumed I made a really good clearance from nowhere. I potted a good black with the rest and that ignited me back into the match. I took control of the game from that moment onwards.
“It is a great feeling knowing you can do it under the pressure in a real cauldron like that. I have special memories of that event. Brandon Parker was my manager at the time. It was his tournament and it was one of the events we won together.”
How much of an extra motivation is it to try to win this week in Brandon’s memory?
“Brandon got us playing in some amazing countries and cities all across Europe and Berlin is one of those places, as well as Fürth. It was a massive addition to the calendar to be in Fürth again this season and I hope we are there for many years to come. It was great to be able to win the European Masters there, considering it was another place Brandon took us to.
“I know that myself and Shaun Murphy were pushing very hard for the German Masters trophy to be named after Brandon and I’m glad that has happened. It is very important he isn’t forgotten, especially for what he has given to snooker over the years. The players have benefited from that and the fans in Berlin have benefitted. It is great his name is on that trophy now.”
You have Sam Craigie in the opening round. What sort of match are you expecting?
“We actually both use Green Baize cues, which are made in Middlesborough. I convinced him to look at certain cues and he ended up taking one of them away and I believe he’s still using it now. He’s been playing very well with it ever since. It’s odd that we are now meeting in the German Masters. I know how good he is. I’ve grown up playing with him since 11 years old. He’s a great player and I am going to have to watch out for him.”
Since winning the European Masters you’ve only made one quarter-final. How difficult has it been to stay patient with your form?
“It has been a bit frustrating. I’ve been putting in a lot of hours and working very hard. My game in practice in particular is definitely at a level for winning events. That doesn’t give me a divine right to go out and win. Everybody else is working just as hard as I am. I’ve lost to a couple of eventual winners. Mark Allen in the UK Championship and Gary Wilson in the Scottish Open. It is just about the odd shot which goes differently and turns a match in my favour.
“Patience is something I’ve not been very good at in previous years. I’ve probably taken losses too much to heart and gone away wondering what happened or went wrong. It isn’t easy to accept that there are fine margins and not to worry so much. There is no point getting down on yourself when travelling to a new tournament about what happened in the previous one. In actual fact, you just have to take results in your stride.
“I’m totally settled with my game. I’m happy with what I’m doing. It is just about putting the hours in and letting the snooker happen. As soon as the New Year comes the Crucible moves into sight. I’ve got lots of big events to be playing in like the Players and Tour Championship as well. I’ve got lots to look forward to and lots to practice for.”
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