Kyren Wilson booked his place in the winners’ group of the BetVictor Championship League Invitational, by beating Matthew Selt 3-2 in a hard fought group three final.
The Warrior initially cruised through the group stage with four wins from six matches, before facing four-time World Champion and recent English Open winner Mark Selby in the play offs.
Wilson showed true grit and class, making three century breaks during a high quality 3-2 victory over Selby, the highest ranked player in the group.
It set up a group final against Selt, who had battled hard to get through. Selt initially booked his spot in the play offs with a 3-1 win over Robert Milkins, a result which snatched him fourth place in the group.
In his play off match against Ricky Walden, Selt quickly found himself 2-0 down. However, he displayed fighting spirit once again by winning three consecutive frames, to book his place in the group final against Wilson.
Wilson was made to work hard for his win against Selt, despite making a high break of 133 in the opening frame and then moving 2-0 up. Selt once again dug deep to force a decider.
The deciding frame was anything but nervy and closed out in a single visit from Wilson, who knocked in a classy break of 81 to complete 3-2 victory.
Speaking with Phil Yates after, Wilson said: “It was quite a tough day for me, having to play three matches in a row was hard. It was nice to have a break after and came back fresh to play really well against Mark Selby, making three century breaks in a best of five. I was hitting it well at that point and then made a great break in the decider against Matt Selt.
“I started the first day really well and then ended quite badly against Jordan Brown, the win against Mark tonight was great especially against a player of that calibre.
“Everyone seems really sharp at the moment and it is no surprise you’ve got some really good players in the winners’ group so far. It’s great to have another opportunity to play in something, there’s always that dangling carrot with the Champion of Champions too, so it would be great to get in that event.”
The action continues tomorrow from 11 am with group four.
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