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Ryan Day v Fan Zhengyi live stream | Champion of Champions 2022 preview

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Kyren Wilson v Ryan Day live stream | Champion of Champions 2022 preview

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“Terrier” Fan Zhengyi denies Ryan Day to secure semi-final spot

Day is targeting his first semi-final at this event (Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News)

Ryan Day is aiming to reach his maiden Champion of Champions semi-final when he plays Fan Zhengyi in the Group Three showpiece on Tuesday.

The reigning British Open champion made a winning start to his fourth appearance at the prestigious invitational event in Bolton, beating 2018 finalist Kyren Wilson 4-3.

Dynamite demonstrated brilliant composure after he was pegged back to 3-3 from 3-1 up, producing a nerveless break of 86 in the decider to reach his third group final.

Now, he looks to advance into unchartered territory when he takes on Fan, who stunned Neil Robertson 4-3 earlier on.

“The majority of times I’ve played in this event; I’ve got through the first game and lost the second,” the Welshman told ITV. “Hopefully, I can break that duck here.

“Hopefully, I’m going to ride the crest of a wave with the confidence I got from winning the British Open.”

Former European Masters champion Fan was a heavy underdog ahead of facing two-time champion Robertson, having lost six of his eight matches since triumphing in Milton Keynes in February.

The 21-year-old notably produced a stunning break of 92 to defeat Ronnie O’Sullivan in a deciding frame to lift the trophy, and he demonstrated a ruthless clinical edge once more.

Indeed from 3-2 down having twice led the Australian, the Chinese cueist hit breaks of 94 and 98 to snatch a dramatic victory and cause the first shock result of this year’s tournament.

“Fan looked as if he played reasonably well,” Day added. “Obviously, Neil’s number two in the world and every time you beat a player like that, then you’re going to have to be on top of your game. Hopefully, I can get to six before he can.”

Play gets underway at 7pm GMT on Tuesday with the match contested over the best of 11 frames at the Bolton Whites Hotel.