SHANGHAI — Kyren Wilson narrowly missed out on snooker history after a moment of showboating backfired during his thrilling 6-5 victory over Si Jiahui at the Shanghai Masters, where he attempted an audacious no-look shot on the black.
The Englishman, ranked No. 12 in the world, had the chance to become the first player to complete a televised maximum 147 break at the Shanghai Masters. However, with the crowd on their feet anticipating the historic moment, Wilson opted for flair over formality—only to see the black ball rattle the jaws of the pocket and stay out.
The Shot That Sparked Debate
Leading 5-4 in frames and needing just the black to seal victory, Wilson lined up what appeared to be a routine pot. Instead, he turned his head away mid-stroke, attempting a no-look finish that left commentators and fans stunned. The miss handed Si a lifeline, forcing an 11th-frame decider.
"I just thought, 'Why not have a bit of fun?'," Wilson later admitted. "The crowd were loving it, and I felt in complete control. Maybe I got carried away, but that's snooker—it should entertain."
A Near-Miss for the Record Books
Had Wilson potted the black conventionally, he would have achieved:
- The first maximum break in Shanghai Masters history
- Only the 6th 147 in a ranking event this season
- A £20,000 high-break prize (pending confirmation)
Instead, the moment joined snooker's infamous near-misses, drawing comparisons to Ronnie O'Sullivan's playful maximum break antics. Crucially, Wilson regrouped to win the decider, avoiding what could have been a costly lapse in concentration.
Reactions from the Snooker World
Player Perspective
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry criticized the attempt during commentary: "That's just disrespectful to your opponent and the game. Maximums are sacred—you don't mess about when history's on the line."
However, 2019 world champion Judd Trump defended Wilson's choice: "People pay to be entertained. If Kyren felt confident, why not? It's not like he was losing—he was dominating."
Fan Reactions
Social media erupted with divided opinions:
- "Absolute legend move—snooker needs personalities!" (@BreakBuilder147)
- "Unprofessional. Imagine doing this in a World Championship final." (@TheRocketFan)
- "The black was easier than some shots he'd already made. Pure bad luck." (@SnookerStats)
The Aftermath
Despite the controversy, Wilson advanced to face world No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarterfinals. When asked if he'd attempt another no-look shot, he grinned: "Depends how the crowd's feeling! Maybe I'll save it for when I've already got the frame secured."
The incident overshadowed what was otherwise a masterclass in break-building from Wilson, who compiled runs of 89, 112, and 134 earlier in the match. His 134 clearance marked his 200th career century—a milestone he celebrated with uncharacteristic restraint.
Historical Context
No-look shots remain exceptionally rare in professional snooker. The most famous previous attempt came in 2010, when Jimmy White—trailing 5-0 in an exhibition—successfully potted a red without looking during a clearance. Unlike Wilson's attempt, White's came with no stakes beyond entertainment.
Statisticians noted that had Wilson succeeded, it would have been:
- The first no-look pot in a televised ranking match
- The only maximum break featuring such a shot
- Potentially the most viewed snooker clip of 2024
Conclusion: Style vs. Substance
While Wilson's gamble didn't pay off, it sparked conversations about showmanship in snooker. As the sport seeks younger audiences, such moments—even failed ones—generate buzz traditional play often can't. As one veteran referee remarked anonymously: "It's not how we did things, but maybe it's how we'll need to do them."
For now, the Shanghai Masters maximum break record remains unclaimed. Wilson, when pressed on whether he regretted the attempt, offered a telling response: "Regret? No. But next time, I'll make sure it drops."
