\n<\/p>\n
It has been a tough few months for Wilson after the cue he used to win the world title in May 2024 was damaged while being refurbished at the start of this season, with a six-inch piece being snapped off the end.<\/p>\n
Wilson called the incident “a freak accident totally out of my control” and one that had “ruined the cue I was conquering the world with”.<\/p>\n
Following his first-round UK loss to Slessor, Wilson said: “I’m just very lost. You were very close to seeing someone have a mental breakdown out there.<\/p>\n
“I wanted the world to swallow me up as soon as I missed the pink in the first frame. It’s been a nightmare. I gave it my all – but I just knew I couldn’t win.”<\/p>\n
Since then, he has begun using a new cue, but only reached round three at the Scottish Open, losing to world number 68 Chang Bingyu.<\/p>\n
Wilson, 34, did also play in the Championship League earlier this month – and looked back to his best at Alexandra Palace in his first match in a Triple Crown event since that loss to Slessor.<\/p>\n
“It has been a really tough time so I thank you for all your love you have given me, it really lifted me,” Wilson told the London crowd after Tuesday’s match.<\/p>\n
“This venue can bring the best out of you. I still have a lot of time in this game so hopefully I can conquer this venue for a long time.”<\/p>\n
On his cue woes at the UK Championship, Wilson added: “I had to put a ferrule and a tip on the cue on the day of my first-round match and it got to boiling point when I felt I had let people down.<\/p>\n
“I had a bit of a hissy fit at the end of that game. I’m over that now and I’ve got a cue that I’ve been playing with since the Scottish Open and I’m very happy with it.”<\/p>\n
Wilson, who will meet either Australia’s Neil Robertson or England’s Chris Wakelin in the next round, added: “When you go out there and can’t trust what you’re using, you have no chance. <\/p>\n
“I think this cue is better because there’s a bit more power, a bit more whip and it’s about learning how to control that – I’ve had a month to get used to it, I’ve had to modify my cue action.”<\/p>\n
Si, 23, played his part in an entertaining game with a break of 97 in frame three, although he was unable to join compatriots Wu Yize, Xiao Guodong and Zhao Xintong in the last eight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n