Bingham books semi-final spot with brilliant Masters comeback

Former world champion Stuart Bingham is looking to claim his second Triple Crown title at the Masters
Former world champion Stuart Bingham is looking to claim his second Triple Crown title at the Masters

Stuart Bingham’s brilliant double on the black in the sixth frame proved a key turning point as the 2015 world champion came back from 4-1 down to beat Kyren Wilson and progress to the Masters semi-finals.

The 43-year-old found himself on the back foot from the off, with world No.8 Wilson roaring into the lead thanks to an opening-frame break of 139 that helped him gain control of proceedings.

But with his opponent on the brink of going within one frame of victory, Bingham provided a spark of magic at the key moment, slotting the decisive black to earn him some much-needed momentum.

From there Wilson had little answer as the Basildon potter romped to a 6-4 victory, although Bingham admitted the result could have been very different.

“I’m not sure how I managed to turn it around,” he said. “I think I just tried to enjoy myself out there because it seemed whatever I was trying at 4-1 down wasn’t working.

“I felt I had to do something so I tried the double and thankfully it went in. That changed everything because things started falling in my favour after that.

“I got away with a couple of bad shots towards the end and things maybe didn’t quite fall his way, but that’s just the way things go sometimes. To get over the line in the end was unbelievable.”

Having secured only his second-ever semi-final spot at the Masters, Bingham will now face off against world No.11 David Gilbert with a place in the tournament’s showpiece at stake.

And while Gilbert is making his debut at the competition, Bingham is aware of the threats he will have to manage if he is to aid his bid for a second Triple Crown title.

He said: “It’s going to be a very tough match against David. I think he’s been the player of the tournament so far with impressive wins over Mark Allen and Stephen Maguire.

“He’s come a long way and he’s a danger in any tournament now so I’m going to have to be firmly on my game if I’m going to keep progressing.

“It would mean a lot to get to the final. This tournament has a lot history and to get my hands on the trophy would mean everything to me.”

Watch the London Masters LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with analysis from Ronnie O'Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.