Zhao Xintong v Kyren Wilson live stream | Shanghai Masters Semi-Final preview
Zhao (right) and Wilson meet in the Shanghai semi-finals for the second year running (Credit: Yin Liqin/China News Service/Alamy Live News)
Zhao Xintong locks horns with Kyren Wilson in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals for a second successive year on Saturday.
The second last-four clash of this year’s event at Luwan Indoor Stadium pits the reigning champion against the home favourite for a place in the final.
Wilson was a commanding 10-5 winner when the pair met at the same stage of last year’s Shanghai Masters, before beating Ali Carter to claim his second crown.
Although, Zhao did avenge that defeat with a narrow 6-5 victory in their Champion of Champions group final encounter a few months later.
All three of the trophies won by Zhao in 2026 have come in events exclusive to the top players – at the World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship.
The 2025 World champion has looked like a man on a mission again this week, dropping just two frames in as many best-of-11 matches.
After breaks of 112, 101, 100 and 90 helped complete a 6-2 win over fellow Chinese trailblazer Ding Junhui, he had contributions of 117, 102, 97 and 85 on the way to completing a comprehensive 6-0 whitewash of Neil Robertson.
By contrast, two-time champion Wilson has been forced to come from behind in both his matches to ensure his title defence has remained on track.
The Warrior led 3-1 against Ronnie O’Sullivan, who then went 4-3 ahead after a brilliant burst of three successive centuries, only to recover and prevail a 6-4 winner.
He also saw a 3-1 advantage go begging against Mark Williams, but then rallied after losing four straight frames to scrape through courtesy of a century in the decider.
Now set for his fourth Shanghai Masters semi-final, this is only Wilson’s second such match of the calendar year – the other coming on route to his Masters triumph back in January.
We are set for a blockbuster showdown between two of the three most recent World champions. The current one, Wu Yize, or world number one Judd Trump awaits the winner in the final.
The match breaks off at 7am BST on Saturday and will be contested over the best of 19 frames at Luwan Indoor Stadium.
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