Wilson finds his rhythm in Brentwood as Robertson falls to Luo Zetao shock

Kyren Wilson came through the opening round of the English Open with a performance that was not spectacular but, to those who watched carefully, carried a quiet sense of renewal. In any Home Nations event, a former world champion beating a lesser-known player like Mateusz Baranowski can be seen as routine. But for Wilson, after a difficult run of results, it meant much more. He was looking for a feeling he had lost, and Brentwood could be where the story starts again. Last week Wilson lost to Liam Highfield in the last 32 of the British Open in Cheltenham. That defeat was not a shock if you considered his recent form, but it still worried his supporters. A player who has competed for the biggest titles should not be losing that early. The victory against Baranowski was modest, with two half-centuries taking him to the winning line. More importantly, Wilson looked in control. He chose the right moments to attack and never let his opponent settle. As I have often said, numbers can never tell the whole story, but they know where the story begins. His cued long pot in the decisive frame was a small flash of the Wilson who once frightened the best in the world. Next up is Chang Bingyu, the recent Wuhan Open champion. That will be a very different test. Chang has crossed the line from promise to achievement. He has beaten big names and stayed patient through a whole tournament. Wilson will need more than confidence; he will need a plan. In the latter part of the article, the focus turns to Neil Robertson. The two-time English Open winner was beaten 4-3 by Luo Zetao, a player ranked 117th in the world. Robertson had chances, but he kept missing at crucial moments. Luo Zetao waited, defended intelligently, and punished him. It was one of those results that remind everyone how thin the margin is between victory and defeat at this level. Chris Wakelin again won a final frame decider, this time against Louis Heathcote. Zhang Anda and Ding Junhui were among the winners on the opening day. The tournament still has plenty of room for surprises, but Wilson’s struggle is the most interesting thread to follow. At 34, he is not old, but he is not young either. He has to rely on intelligence and experience. The signs from round one were positive, and now the real question is how long he can keep that light burning through the next rounds.