Snooker Tour Championship match suspended due to Kyren Wilson health fears
Kyren Wilson's Tour Championship showdown with Ding Junhui was halted twice due to an unexpected nosebleed for the Englishman.
The Kettering star was forced to step away mid-frame as blood poured from his nose, leaving spectators and TV viewers stunned.
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He received medical attention and briefly returned to the table — only for the issue to flare up again moments later, raising fears that he might have to forfeit the match.
Commentator Dave Hendon explained: "The referee has taken Ding out of the arena, he's been told what's happening.
"Play is suspended, unfortunately. You never know what's going to happen in snooker."
He later added: "We wish him well, we hope he's able to resume this match."
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Retired snooker pro Alan McManus weighed in, sharing his own experience: "It's never happened to me, but I do remember playing in the Masters one year when my nose was dripping just with the cold.
"It's really annoying. I ended up putting a bit of tissue up my nose to stop the dripping. Obviously, Kyren is having to take a time out."
After a half-hour delay, Wilson returned to the action.
However, he struggled to regain his rhythm as Ding capitalised on the disruption, clinching his sixth frame to establish a commanding 6-1 lead.
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The session ended with Ding taking a 7-1 lead, with the the first to ten progressing.
Wilson is no stranger to mid-match nosebleeds.
One of his most memorable nosebleeds occurred in the 2018 World Championship semi-final against John Higgins.
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Unsurprisingly, given Ding's huge advantage, Wilson was knocked out, losing 10-5 and failing to defend the title he claimed in 2024.
Wilson had begun the game with a break of 70, but the interruption for his nose bleed seemed to wobble his performance.
Ding retaliated with runs of 126, 73, 76, 59 and 80. The Chinese star will now face Mark Selby who thrashed Neil Robertson 10-1 in an astonishing quarter-final.
In the other semi-final, it is Barry Hawkins against John Higgins.
The Hawk has arguably been the standout player this week, coming close to breaking Stephen Hendry's record for number of centuries in a best of 19 match against Shaun Murphy.
Meanwhile, Wilson will now prepare for the World Championships at the Crucible later this year, but he did reveal why he got the nose bleed, and it could be a concern for the defending champion.
How to get Snooker World Championship tickets
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This year's Snooker World Championship is set to get the pulses racing, with World number one Judd Trump set to battle it out with last year's World Championship winner Kyren Wilson.
Seven times World Championship winner Ronnie O'Sullivan may also compete to play for a record eighth title at The Crucible theatre in Sheffield.
With a capacity of 980, The Crucible is one of the most intimate places in the world to watch a snooker match and there are several ways to book yourself a seat to watch the action live:
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Snooker World Championship semi final and final tickets
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Speaking to ITV after losing to Ding, he said: "It was a nightmare. I think it was just exhaustion.
"I went deep in the Players Championship and then had three back-to-back exhibitions after that.
"In hindsight, it is probably a good thing. It'll give me two weeks to knuckle down and get a bit of rest and get ready for the World Championships."
WATCH Snooker referee in awkward row with legend after laughing at his error
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