Gary Wilson’s Worries Not Eased By Welsh Run

Gary Wilson’s Worries Not Eased By Welsh Run
09:40, 07 Mar 2018

A run to the last four of ranking event is usually a reason to celebrate, but for Gary Wilson it has thrown up as many questions as answers.

This was the Tyneside potter’s first appearance in the semi-finals of an event since he reached the final of the China Open back in 2015.

Wilson beat Sam Baird, Daniel Wells, Mark Allen, John Astley and Yu De Lu before losing to the eventual winner John Higgins - but comes away from the tournament feeling a little indifferent.

“I don’t feel like I’ve gained any real confidence from it,” he told The Sportsman. “I’m very grateful to have got that far but I feel like I was kind of lucky to be there.

“I’ve got to take the positives from it as it’s boosted my earnings for the season and turned a disappointing campaign into a much better one.

“I just don’t feel like I played too well. My best match was against Yu De Lu in the quarters, but I still made some mistakes. I guess it was just one of those weird weeks where I did well and still come away with plenty to work on.

Growing concerns

Wilson’s main concern at the moment is tackling what he describes as a fundamental problem with his cueing technique which he believes is hindering his progress in the sport.

He said: “I know deep down that if I want to achieve anything in the game, I’ve got a technical flaw in my cue action I need to put right.

“It’s been lingering for years and it might not be a simple fix. It could take months to correct or it might never be put right.

“I know it can’t be all bad if I’m managing to get results, but I feel like it’s holding me back and it’s incredibly frustrating. Sometimes I get away with it and sometimes I don’t. I feel like now is the time to try to tackle it head on.”

This run in Cardiff was a good way to build on his progress to the last 16 of the German Masters and moves him up to number 37 in the one-year ranking list with a boost of his season earnings to up to £56,500.

Gearing up for The Crucible

Next up for Gary is a trip to the Gibraltar Open, then to the China Open where he plays Ali Carter before the World Championship. He has fond memories of the biggest event of the season event having qualified for The Crucible for the first time in his career a year ago.

He went on to lose 10-7 to Ronnie O’Sullivan in Sheffield and says this experience has made him hungry to do it again.

“It was a great experience. I would probably quite stupidly compare it to playing in a working men’s club,” he explained. “There are two tables in quite close proximity and the crowd feel like they’re right on top of you.

“It sounds daft but in many ways meeting Ronnie was the best draw I could have got because I knew I had no option but to play my best to give him a match. It was really exciting to play. It was a great atmosphere and motivates me to get back there.”

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