German Masters

Wilson has had a really good season so far as defending World Champion

7-7 as yet...

Commentator: "oh, Barry Hawkins would be a popular winner, fans love him, other players love him..."
ME: "I bloody don't."

Kyren Wilson is the champion after a titanic struggle. Wilson eventually edged out Barry Hawkins 10-9 in a match that was tight from start to finish. One of those matches that is great to win and galling to lose. Both players take a bow.
That was some contest with an insanely ridiculous final frame.

Congratulations to the Kettering cueman! In the World Championship final, Jak Jones didn't really put him under pressure, but last night I could tell from his face that he was totally feeling the pressure, but the Warrior proved that he could take the pressure and still emerge victorious. It might have been different though if Hawkins hadn't made that in off in the decider.

Hawkins may have lost, but he's consolidated his place in the top 16, so I won't be getting rid of him anytime soon, worse luck.

Just the Welsh Open and the World Open left for players to get the ranking the points they need for the Players series in March. Welsh Open qualifiers this week, going on at the same time as the final group in the invitational Championship League.

Whew! Well done Wilson.

Kyren Wilson is having a very strong season since becoming World Champion. Not being scared of any opponent helps and his game is more polished with the confidence gained by winning the World Championship last May.

As for Barry Hawkins well it's yet another near miss but he is getting closer and more competitive in big finals. 10-8 to Trump in the UK and then 10-9 last night. Whatever people's extent of like or dislike for him there is no doubt his match play quality. He has an excellent all round game. It's just about getting over that line. If he keeps knocking on the door it will eventually open for him.

Ronnie O'Sullivan was in the house for the German Masters. His form wasn't that great, and there was a delay when his tip fell off and he had to get it replaced, but Long Zehuang made so many errors, Ronnie ran out a 5-1 winner.

Most of the top 16 won their first round match. Ishpreet Singh-Chadha got the upset when he made a 64 break in the decider to beat Chris Wakelin 5-4. Wu Yize withdrew; it's not surprising he needed a break after getting to the semis of the Masters and winning his group in the Championship League. Gary Wilson lost 5-1 to Scott Donaldson.

Zhao Xintong whitewashed Jiang Jun 5-0. He was on for a 147 in the final frame, but with one red on the side cushion, and one stuck to the pink, he had to settle for a 104.

Good news about Ronnie, we didn't need to spend 3 months going "will he come back so he can go to Sheffield or not?"

Zhang Anda 147!!

Zhang Anda 5 Hawkins 2

Zhang made his 147 in the first frame. He sealed the match with a break of 66 in frame 7.

Zhang won group 7 of the Championship League last week, so will be in the final group of 7 when it resumes after the German Masters.

Ishpreet beat Elliot Slessor. Jimmy Robertson got the upset on Mark Williams 5-3. Neil Robertson made 3 centuries in a 5-2 win over Pang Junxu.