Kyren Wilson claims European Masters title with win over Barry Hawkins in drab final
- Planet Sport writer
- 21 August 2022
Former World Championship finalist Kyren Wilson bagged his fifth career ranking title following a 9-3 win over Barry Hawkins in the European Masters final.
The 30-year-old came out on top in a low-quality affair despite a highest break of just 56.
"It's been an amazing week," Wilson said in his post-match interview, broadcast on Eurosport.
"To be honest I was struggling a bit, down in the dumps coming here, changing cues, so my dad and his best friend came out and we had some great fun."
Wilson established a sizeable lead following a low-scoring opening session, winning the second frame on a re-spotted black having needed snookers.
Hawkins fought back from 3-0 down to reduce his deficit to a single frame, winning the fifth with breaks of 51 and 55, but Wilson won the next three and made his sole half-century in the final frame of the session to lead 6-2.
A break of 64 looked set to give Hawkins the first frame of the evening, but Wilson cleared from green to black to extend his advantage and Hawkins never looked capable of turning the match around.
"It's very disappointing," Hawkins said. "It was a struggle all day. Kyren stuck to his task and picked me off. It was a terrible day but a good week I suppose."
