Kyren Wilson will be daring to dream as he moved one step closer to his lifelong ambition of becoming snooker’s latest new world champion.
His 13-6 win over Mark Allen moves him through to the semi-finals at the World Championship for the first time in his career after making it to the last eight a hat-trick of times.
The Warrior may not have been widely tipped to make a serious bid for the world title this year in Sheffield largely owing to his youthful years and inexperience on the very biggest stage but now he’s through to the last four, he will no longer be able to go under the radar unnoticed.
Aged 26, Wilson becomes the first player born in the 1990s to reach the one-table setup at the Crucible and rubberstamp his credentials as a future world champion in the making.
We all know the Warrior is a fine player and has enjoyed a strong season having reached three major finals including the prestigious Masters. Comparisons have been made between him and world number one Mark Selby in the past and his displays so far in this tournament prove that he’s a player who looks like he saves his best for the biggest stage.
Two of the sport’s best ever champions have also singled him out high praise this week.
Seven-time Crucible king Stephen Hendry said that while all the players left in the tournament all have the ability needed to become champion, it is Wilson who looks to have the greatest desire which could make the difference when we get down to the crunch.
Six-time champion Steve Davis has also seen enough to know he has what it takes to win this title one day, if not this year. The Nugget said he believes Kyren to be better equipped than Judd Trump to land a Crucible crown.
Those who know Wilson well are always quick to point out just how hard he works on his game and how much commitment he has put into establishing himself as one of the world’s elite players. When he walks out tomorrow to play on the single table for the first time ever, he can rightfully take pleasure in the fact that he is beginning to reap the rewards of all his hard work.