German Masters - Live Stream

18+ | Geo restrictions may apply | Gamble Responsibly

Wilson into Masters quarter-finals as Brecel battles past Wakelin

Jonathan Davies in The Masters

Left arrow

Luca Brecel v Chris Wakelin live stream | Masters 2025 First Round preview

Right arrow

Shaun Murphy v Neil Robertson live stream | Masters 2025 Quarter-Final preview

Wilson battled past Zhang on Wednesday (Taka G Wu/Alamy Live News)

Kyren Wilson will play Luca Brecel in the Masters quarter-finals after a 6-4 victory over Zhang Anda at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday.

The Warrior, who was runner-up to Mark Allen in 2018, claimed only a fourth win from his last 10 matches at snooker’s most prestigious invitational event, despite a top break of just 69.

Wilson was pegged back to 4-4 from 3-1 up, with Zhang hitting the tournament’s highest break of 141 along the way.

Nevertheless, the reigning World champion held his nerve to advance to the last eight, where Brecel awaits after beating debutant Chris Wakelin 6-3.

Wilson had suffered back-to-back first-round exits at the Masters, but won two of the opening three frames, before stealing the third on the black with a 69 clearance from 64-0 down.

However, the world number two did not score a single point in the next two frames as Zhang, who produced a series of impressive long pots throughout the contest, hit breaks of 65 and 83 to level.

Although, the Chinese was unfortunate to go in-off during the following frame and Wilson punished with a run of 69, but he responded with a superb 141 total clearance to level at 4-4.

But Wilson was not to be denied as he edged his nose back in front, before a 38 clearance saw him over the line.

“I feel like I managed to pinch the key frames,” the World champion told BBC Sport. “Every credit to Zhang, I thought he played fantastic. I’ve never seen such a consistent display of long potting.

“I was petrified every time a ball stuck out because he was just potting them. I just had to hang on in there and nick the odd frame. I am pleased I managed to get over the line.”

“It was a great match to be involved in,” he added. “At 4-4, I had to hang in there and stay positive. I was really impressed with Zhang’s long potting, he was floating them in from everywhere.

“Playing as World champion this season has given me the confidence to see those matches out. I know I have a target on my back this year, so I didn’t want to go out of this one early again.

“A lot has changed for me since I was in the final here seven years ago. I have gone on to bigger and better things, achieving the dream of becoming World champion. But there is still a lot of unfinished business.”

Later in the day, 2023 World champion Brecel battled past Wakelin, who was making his tournament bow.

The Belgian won two of the opening three frames on the colours, including a third after a stunning long black, before a run of 89 put him 3-1 to the good.

Wakelin hit back to reduce the deficit to 4-3 but, after Brecel took the next frame on the pink, the world number 15 was penalised after inadvertently catching the red with his cue while setting up with the rest, and his opponent pounced with 73 to seal only his second win in five Masters appearances.

< “There are things to work on, but I am happy with the win,” the Bullet told BBC Sport. “It is very special. I think it’s more nerve-wracking than the World Championship.

“From November until now, there have been a lot of big tournaments, so I decided to really put in the work. I didn’t feel sharp today, but I’ve been feeling good.

“The last season, I’ve not really had a chance to go really deep in tournaments, apart from in Saudi [two successive Riyadh Season Championship final appearances], then it’s tough to really play your best game. I need to give myself more chances in tournaments.”

WATCH ALL MASTERS MATCHES STREAMED LIVE

18+ | T&Cs Apply | Geo restrictions may apply | Be Gamble Aware

Masters Snooker 2025 | Day Four Results

Wednesday January 15

Round One

Kyren Wilson 6-4 Zhang Anda
Luca Brecel 6-3 Chris Wakelin