Kyren Wilson denies Ronnie O’Sullivan to reach UK Championship Semi-Finals

Jonathan Davies in UK Championship 3 December 2021

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Wilson produced a century in the decider to defeat O’Sullivan (George Wood/PA Archive/PA Images)

Kyren Wilson is through to the UK Championship semi-finals for the first time after a thrilling 6-5 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan on Friday.

There will be a new name on the trophy at the York Barbican Centre, with all four semi-finalists marking their maiden appearances at that stage of the event.

Targeting just a fourth win over O’Sullivan in 11 attempts, Wilson made a brilliant start with breaks of 92 and 117 giving him a 2-0 lead.

The Rocket hit back with a wonderful 115 to level things up at the interval.

Wilson recovered from 44-0 down with 66 to regain his advantage on the resumption, but O’Sullivan overturned a 46-0 deficit in the next frame with a 76 clearance to level once more.

Targeting a maiden UK semi-final, the Warrior edged his nose back in front with 71, before a neat 39 clearance from the penultimate red moved him to the brink of victory at 5-3 up.

Wilson saw a couple of opportunities to clinch his last-four spot go begging, with clearances of 64 and 83 seeing the seven-time champion force a decider.

Nevertheless, the world number five dusted himself down and produced a marvellous break of 102 to seal a dramatic win.

The four-time ranking event winner will play Luca Brecel in the semi-finals, after the Bullet hit four half-century breaks in a 6-2 victory over Anthony McGill.

Zhao Xintong won six successive frames from 2-0 down to send world number 14 Jack Lisowski crashing out of the tournament.

The six-time ranking event finalist made the ideal start with breaks of 79 and 63, but his opponent took the next two frames on the colours to level.

Jackpot was in first with 61 after the interval, but Zhao produced a brilliant 74 clearance to snatch the lead on the black.

It was one-way traffic from there; two runs of 56 followed by an 83 moved the world number 26 potentially one win away from a place in the Masters.

Zhao, who must win the tournament or avoid Brecel in the final, will play another left-hander in the semis in Barry Hawkins.

Playing in his first UK quarter-final in eight years, the Hawk hit three breaks over 50 in a 6-1 win over Andy Hicks, who was making his first such appearance since 1995.

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