‘Gutted to miss out’ – Wilson reveals inspiration after reaching Championship League final stage

Watch Wilson clinch stunning 147 at Crucible as fans celebrate

Kyren Wilson continued his impressive form on Tuesday to book his spot in the final group stage of the Championship League with a 3-0 win over Pang Junxu in the Group 6 final in Leicester.

The world No. 11 produced breaks of 76 and 89 in his victory over former World Snooker Tour Classic finalist Pang after overcoming Sam Craigie 3-2 in the semi-finals with knocks of 67 and 74 as he hit back from 2-0 behind to secure a 3-2 win.

Pang ran out a 3-2 winner over Slessor in the other semi-final as he finished with breaks of 55 and 70 from 2-1 behind.

The two-time Championship League winner ensured qualification with a 3-2 success against Ricky Walden before losing his final two group matches to O’Connor and Pang, who topped the group on frames won with Craigie, Wilson and Slessor advancing to the last four.

Wilson produced a knock of 131 against Walden, who responded with a 142 in the fourth frame.

“I had a bit of time off between my first two matches and I ended up missing dinner, so I found myself scrambling trying to conserve energy,” said Wilson.

“Yesterday, I was really at the peak of my powers, but honestly it was driving me crazy today, I just couldn’t do with a seventh group here.

“The dangling carrot that is the Champion of Champions is always there with this event, I was gutted to miss out this season. I will be trying my hardest to win this to make sure I’m in the hat next year.”

The winner of the Championship League also earns a spot in the Champion of Champions later this year.

Stuart Bingham, Chris Wakelin, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and John Higgins have already booked their place in the winners’ group (March 12-13) with the two final places being settled this week.

Pang, Craigie, Slessor, and O’Connor are due to be joined by world No. 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jak Jones and Jordan Brown for Group 7 on Wednesday.

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