Kyren Wilson relies on lucky charm to overcome major opening hurdle at Masters
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Wilson was wearing a fetching new waistcoat and it helped him to a hard-fought 6-4 win over Zhang Anda in a game where his opponent was largely on top. Reigning world champion Kyren Wilson got his campaign to add a first Masters title to his trophy cabinet started and even donned some special attire for the occasion.
![[Kyren Wilson’s waistcoat had been designed by a 12-year-old girl called Serena, who won a national competition]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/17/44/SEI236071377.jpeg)
Wilson’s waistcoat for a hard-fought 6-4 first-round victory over Zhang Anda at Alexandra Palace was a designed by 12-year-old Serena, who won a national competition in partnership with tournament sponsor Johnstone's Paint & STEM Learning. The natty design, on a bright purple background, featured drawings of açai berries and the structural formula of the fruit.
![[Wilson isn’t planning on wearing he waistcoat for the rest of his matches this week]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/17/45/SEI236071378.jpeg)
It ultimately proved to be a lucky charm for the Englishman as he booked a quarter-final spot but was made to work hard by Zhang and relied on an element of luck to secure the victory. In fact, the Chinese star – who has transformed himself from something of a journeyman player to a mainstay in the world’s top 16 over the past 18 months – bettered Wilson in almost every statistical metric including highest break, total points, pot success and safety success. Of course, the only stat that really matters is the scoreline and the 33-year-old was relieved to prevail 6-4 on that front.
![[Zhang Anda impressed by ultimately fell to a 6-4 defeat]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/17/18/SEI236056430.jpg)
But he revealed after the match that it will be a one-and-done situation with the waistcoat as the material on the front was rubbing against his thumb as he was cueing. “I won’t be wearing it anymore unfortunately,” said Wilson. “It has just started to burn my thumb – any longer and it would have ripped my thumb to pieces. I’m pretty particular on my waistcoat fronts, it has to be a real soft material.
