Kyren Wilson was relieved to win the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany, admitting his career will be remembered for titles won, not appearances in finals.

Wilson won his first ranking title at the 2015 Shanghai Masters and had several near misses in pursuit of his second. He lost ranking finals at the 2016 Indian Open, 2017 World Open and 2017 English Open, while he also missed out in a dramatic Dafabet Masters decider to Mark Allen at Alexandra Palace in January.

He finally ended his three-year wait for that second ranking title by beating Peter Ebdon 4-2 in the final of the Paul Hunter Classic in Furth. Wilson had to recover from going 0-2 down to the veteran, downing the final pink and black to reduce his arrears before a 120-break levelled matters. A scrappy fifth frame gave him the advantage and contributions of 68 and the 57 got him over the winning line.

Facing Ebdon, who was aiming to become the second-oldest ever winner of a ranking event at the age of 47, was tough for Wilson as the pair have been friends since they met at an exhibition when the latter was six-years-old.

“It was always going to be a tough final against Peter. He’s a class act and I’d rather have played someone else in the final because usually I want him to win,” Wilson said. “I’m chuffed to get the second ranking title on my CV. Your career is all based on what you have won, not how many finals you have been in. I’ve had a strong start to the season and I need to keep building.

“This tournament holds fond memories for me because it was the first overseas one I travelled to as a young kid. I’m delighted to get my name on the trophy.”

Wilson is 19.00 to go a step further by landing this season’s Dafabet Masters in London.