Chris Wakelin beat Liam Pullen 10-6 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship, according to multiple reports. According to reports, Wakelin is projected to face Neil Robertson in round two if Robertson beats Junxu Pang.
After the match, Wakelin said he believes Stephen Hendry does not rate him as a player. According to Wakelin, Hendry suggested Pullen could beat him despite never having seen Pullen play. However, it was Steve Davis, not Hendry, who suggested Pullen could have a run on Hendry's CueTips channel, Wakelin noted. Wakelin said in a press conference: "Someone who doesn't rate me at all is Stephen Hendry. Every single Players event, whenever I'm playing a match on TV he always says the other guy is going to win. I laugh about it every time and it gives me a lot of pleasure to just go out there and do my thing." He added: "He obviously doesn't rate me at all because I'm not world number one or world champion in the past, but it's my job just to go out there and focus on my game. You're always going to have critics in this sport as you do in every sport so it doesn't surprise me in the slightest." Wakelin also referenced Hendry's YouTube channel: "Even on his YouTube the other day, which I'm a big fan of and watch it every week, he said on there that he fancied Liam Pullen to beat me, and in the next breath he said I've never seen him play before. Whatever." Despite the criticism, Wakelin expressed respect for Hendry: "I've got a massive amount of respect for anyone who's ever won a tournament in this game, it's so difficult. Stephen being a seven-time world champion I've got nothing but admiration for the guy but he clearly doesn't think I'm any good."
I was quite nervous before going out there but I really enjoyed every second, I felt great and enjoyed it.
According to Daily Express - Sport, Wakelin made an unusual admission that he wanted Pullen to beat him during the match. Wakelin said: "Something that I don't think anyone will understand is that I am playing Liam today, I went 7-5 up, I went 8-5 up, I still wanted him to win." He added: "I would have loved if Liam had put in a real amazing match and to have beaten me. He is such a good lad, he is such a great prospect for the future and had he beaten me today, I would have been the first person to congratulate him." Wakelin also described their training relationship: "I know how dangerous Liam is. We practice together on a weekly basis now. I knew it was going to be a really tough match, so to get off to a good start was really important." According to Daily Express - Sport, Wakelin trains regularly with Pullen, Stan Moody, and Antoni Kowalski, and described Pullen as "the most consistent" of the three.
According to one report, Wakelin is ranked world number 13. According to one report, he won the Scottish Open this season, his second ranking tournament win, and had a Crucible quarter-final run last season.
It felt like I could've played well at any moment during that match but for some reason, stuff was happening and I found it really hard to get my control on the match. It just wasn't meant to be.
Wakelin previously played Hendry in 2021 and lost 3-2 at the British Open. Reflecting on that match, Wakelin said: "When I played him a few years ago, everyone was ringing me up before and saying, 'oh you're playing him, he's come back,' I thought I'd have a little dig so when they asked me, are you looking forward to playing a seven-time world champion and legend, I said I was a bit young to remember when he was at his best but my mum was a huge fan – and then he beat me!" Pullen made a century break at the Crucible during the match. According to Daily Express - Sport, Pullen said: "I was quite nervous before going out there but I really enjoyed every second, I felt great and enjoyed it." He added: "It felt like I could've played well at any moment during that match but for some reason, stuff was happening and I found it really hard to get my control on the match. It just wasn't meant to be." On his century break, Pullen said: "I probably should have had a few earlier but I wasn't too bothered, to be fair. When I made the century and got the clap. I should probably have potted a few before then." Looking ahead, Pullen said: "The target is just to keep improving. It's a great way to end the season at the Crucible. I had plenty of tough matches in the qualifiers. Overall, a very good season and onto the next one."
I probably should have had a few [century breaks] earlier but I wasn't too bothered, to be fair. When I made the century and got the clap. I should probably have potted a few before then.
The target is just to keep improving. It's a great way to end the season at the Crucible. I had plenty of tough matches in the qualifiers. Overall, a very good season and onto the next one.