Superb Zhao Xintong to face brilliant Yan Bingtao in German Masters final
Zhao reeled off five straight frames from 3-1 down against Walden (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images)
Zhao Xintong will play Yan Bingtao in the German Masters final after an inspired 6-3 victory over Ricky Walden at the Tempodrom.
UK champion Zhao overturned a 3-1 deficit against Walden, while former Masters winner Yan was a 6-4 victor over Mark Allen in Berlin on Saturday.
It marks the first time since Ding Junhui met Xiao Guodong at the 2013 Shanghai Masters that two Chinese players will contest a ranking event showpiece.
Seeking his second ranking final in the space of eight weeks, Zhao made a slow start and Walden took full advantage with a top break of 74 putting him 2-0 up
The three-time ranking event winner was targeting a first final appearance since the 2016 China Open, and produced a wonderful 66 clearance from 51-0 down in frame four to move 3-1 in front.
Walden, who beat Neil Robertson, Luca Brecel and Kyren Wilson to reach the last four, looked set for 4-1 after the interval as he produced a run of 60 from 38-0 down.
However, an unexpected missed green was pounced on by Zhao, who cleared to the black to halve the deficit.
That swung the whole complexion of the contest in favour of the Cyclone, who dominated the next three frames with runs of 72 and 65 along the way, before a break of 100 saw him over the line.
Standing in his way of a second ranking title in as many months is Victoria Snooker Academy practice partner Yan, who saw off Allen 6-4.
The Tiger, who overturned deficits to prevail in deciding frames against Mark Selby and Ryan Day on Friday, was appearing in his third semi-final of the season, having also reached this stage at the Northern Ireland Open and Champion of Champions.
He twice fell behind against the Pistol, but produced a wonderful break of 116 as he reeled off three successive frames to lead 4-2.
Allen, who beat Yan’s compatriots Lyu Haotian and Fan Zhengyi earlier in the week, stopped the rot with a brilliant run of 104 to reduce the arrears to 5-4.
But the 2019 Riga Masters champion held his nerve in a dramatic 10th frame – in which he earlier declared a foul on himself when in the balls – before sealing victory on the pink.
WATCH GERMAN MASTERS SNOOKER STREAMED LIVE (18+)
Saturday January 29
Semi-Finals
Zhao Xintong 6-3 Ricky Walden
Mark Allen 4-6 Yan Bingtao