Kyren Wilson is still struggling to adapt to a cue he started using at the start of the season as he sets up a blockbuster second round clash with world champion Wu Yize at the British Open.
The Warrior has been having cue issues since his World Championship-winning stick was accidentally broken when it was sent for a refurb last year.
It has been something of a rollercoaster from then on, with a low point at the UK Championship as he struggled to deal with a cue he didn’t like, leading to a first round exit.
In January all seemed well as he won the Masters with another piece of equipment, but that did not solve the issue and he is back with another new cue this season which he is still getting used to in Cheltenham this week.
Wilson beat Florian Nuessle 4-1 in the first round at the British Open, but was not thrilled with how he played with the latest piece of wood.
‘Poor, really poor,’ he told Channel 5. ‘Just still struggling, using a new cue. Just trying to still adapt to the throw.
‘My new cue is still a lot thicker than what I was using before, so anything with side I’m completely guessing. It’s not nice, but I’m still trying, I’m giving it my all and obviously I’ve done well to come through.
‘I started using it two days before the Shanghai Masters. I got to the final in Shanghai so it’s a bit baffling.
‘I thought the conditions were really good out there and I made them look really bad. That is a bit of a head-scratcher.
‘It’s just frustrating because I feel like I’m working hard, I’m really motivated. I want to get back to where I think I belong and it’s just not quite coming out. Maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself, I don’t know.’
The 34-year-old is under some ranking pressure this season after an odd campaign last time round, which saw him win the non-ranking Masters and Shanghai Masters, but struggle in the events which carry ranking points.
The former world champion is certainly working hard to return to form as he was the only player in the practice room in Cheltenham after 10pm on Monday, having won in the afternoon.
He needs to improve his results or could face a slide out of the top 16 and his next challenge will be against reigning world champion Wu Yize.
The 22-year-old hasn’t found his best form again since conquering the Crucible in May and Wilson is not too surprised.
‘I think first time as a world champion, maybe he’s just struggling with the expectation,’ said the 2024 world champ. ‘The weight of the world is on his shoulders at the minute, especially in China because he’s a superstar there.
‘It’s tough, I’m sure he’ll adapt, he’s a fantastic player, but I know that I’m up there, so it should be a good game.’
Wilson and Wu meet in the second round of the British Open at 3pm on Tuesday in a highlight of the FA Cup-style draw which is unseeded.
There were shocks on day one in Cheltenham, especially late on, as Neil Robertson was beaten 4-1 by Pang Junxu and Ashley Carty edged Si Jiahui 4-3.