Kyren Wilson kickstarted his new season in style by clinching the Shanghai Masters title, a decade after his breakthrough triumph in the same city.
The 33-year-old, nicknamed 'The Warrior,' overcame a spirited fightback from Ali Carter to win 11–9 in Sunday’s final, pocketing £210,000 in the process.
Wilson, the world No 2, showed his class with high breaks of 129, 96, 80, 78, 105, 122, and 86 across a high-quality contest.
The win comes just three months after his shock early exit from the World Championship, where he fell to the so-called Crucible Curse in the opening round.
Kyren Wilson kickstarted his new season in style by clinching the Shanghai Masters title, a decade after his breakthrough triumph in the same city
|GETTY
But in Shanghai — the city where he first made his mark on the sport — Wilson looked rejuvenated.
It was here in 2014, when the tournament was still a ranking event, that Wilson burst onto the scene by winning his first major title.
This latest victory, now in its invitational format featuring the world’s top 16 players and rising Chinese stars, felt like the perfect full-circle moment.
Punching the air in celebration after potting the final ball, Wilson reflected on just how far he’s come.
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“Ten years ago, I didn’t have a pot to p*** in,” he told The Sun.
“I think I came out to Shanghai with about £400 to my name. I just managed to win that and my career took off.I was very successful after that, very consistent. My life totally changed. I proved I was not a one-hit wonder.”
Now, a decade on, the win carries added significance.
“To win it now, when it’s a prestigious invitational event, with the best 16 players and very good Chinese talent, is a massive feather in the cap,” he added.
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2025 Shanghai Master champion Kyren Wilson receives his 14th career trophy and the winner's cheque for £210,000! 🏆💰 pic.twitter.com/5bzTB3WJ06
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) August 3, 2025
Wilson admitted the pain of his early World Championship exit had driven him to bounce back stronger.
“The biggest statement is that I went out in the first round of the World Championship. I’ve gone away, had time off and come back as hungry as I was last season," he said.
"Very determined to get winning again. It was a massive kick in the teeth to go out in the first round of the Worlds.”
As Carter mounted a late comeback, Wilson said he was desperate to avoid a final-frame decider.
“I’d like to say I always stay positive,” he continued.
“But I didn’t want it to go to a decider as Ali’s strike rate this week has been phenomenal.
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Kyren Wilson was too strong for Ali Carter in Sunday's Shanghai Masters final
|GETTY
"We all know how gritty and determined he is.
"I was very conscious I had to take out that last clearance – and so happy I did that.
"You could see the emotions.”