Kyren Wilson names John Higgins’ one weakness ahead of Masters final

Kyren Wilson is taking on his ‘hero’ John Higgins in the Masters final, but has identified one weakness in the snooker legend’s game.

The two men came through epic semi-finals on Saturday, with Higgins edging Judd Trump 6-5 and then Wilson beating Wu Yize by the same scoreline.

Both Trump and Wu had excellent chances to win the matches, but faltered, while the Wizard and the Warrior stood firm when it mattered and have set up Sunday’s showpiece.

50-year-old Higgins becomes the oldest ever Masters finalist as he looks to win a third title, but first since 2006.

Wilson is bidding to lift the Paul Hunter Trophy for the first time in his third Masters final and is favourite with the bookmakers to do so.

It is a fascinating final between the legendary veteran and the world number two who is still building his body of work on the baize.

The Warrior has the ultimate respect for a man he considers one of his heroes, but does feel Higgins has one weakness, which is also one of Wilson’s own strengths.

‘The only weakness I can find in John is his rest play,’ Wilson told TNT Sports. ‘He actually said to me when I beat him in the Worlds, “Can you give me a few rest lessons?” I think that’s it.

‘Other than that he’s just utter class, I’m going to have to raise my game to beat him tomorrow.’

Wilson beat Higgins in the World Championship quarter-finals on his way to becoming world champion in 2024, but that was a rare victory for him over the Scot.

Outside of the minor, short-format Championship League, that is Wilson’s only win over Higgins in their last seven meetings.

Despite that sticky record, the 34-year-old was itching to take on an icon in a huge final.

‘I honestly think I put myself under too much pressure to play John,’ he said of his semi-final performance. ‘I was so hungry and determined to make sure I play him.

‘I’ve been lucky enough to play Ronnie [O’Sullivan] in a few big finals and experience that. I don’t go into them thinking “this is going to be a jolly day out,” but by the time he’s hung up his cue I want to say right I’ve played him in a major final, how did I get on? That’s what I want to have on my CV.’

‘He is a hero of mine, I grew up watching him’

It is back-to-back finals at Alexandra Palace for Wilson after defeat to Shaun Murphy 12 months ago, but a remarkable turnaround from a first round exit at the UK Championship before Christmas.

‘I felt coming here this week that I could compete, I had some confidence and belief,’ he said. ‘Finals here are always tough, I’ve played Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy and it doesn’t get any easier against John Higgins.

‘He is a hero of mine, I grew up watching him and I love what he has given to the game, he is a role model.’

‘I’m normally back home watching it on the TV’

Higgins admitted that he felt reaching the very biggest finals may have been a thing of the past, despite winning big titles at the World Open and Tour Championship last season.

‘Incredible win for me to beat Judd, the world number one. You’re never over the line against someone like Judd, just an incredible player,’ he told the BBC.

‘The crowd were just awesome, the crowd were so good. The atmosphere was jaw-dropping.

‘To be in the final of these big, big events was maybe a step too far for me. I’m normally back home watching it on the TV and wishing you could be sampling the atmosphere because the Sunday night of the Masters it’s a special atmosphere.

‘I can’t wait. I’ll be there revelling in it and hopefully I can play well.’

Both finalists have had exactly the same results on their runs to the final, with Higgins beating Barry Hawkins 6-2 before 6-5 wins over Zhao Xintong and Trump.

Wilson comfortably beat Si Jiahui 6-2 in his opener before deciding frame wins over Neil Robertson and debutant Wu.

Both have showed immense battling qualities to come through a pair of deciding frame contests and will need plenty more as they scrap it out for the £350,000 top prize at Ally Pally.

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