Kyren Wilson ends Zhao Xintong's epic winning run in style at Shanghai Masters
Zhao Xintong's 26-match winning run was ended unceremoniously by Kyren Wilson who beat the world champion 10-5 in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals.
The Cyclone was last beaten in November by Shaun Murphy at the UK Championship, winning a string of games on the amateur circuit before romping to World Championship victory at the Crucible.
The Shanghai Masters was the first time Zhao was in action since his Crucible triumph and he looked good in beating Chris Wakelin and Ding Junhui to reach the final four.
The 28-year-old continued to impress in the first session of the semi, leading 5-4 with breaks of 121, 113 and 95 along the way.
However, he pretty much collapsed in the evening session, with Wilson playing very nicely, but Zhao a long way from his best as the Englishman won six frames on the bounce to reach the final.
It wasn't clear what caused the sharp downward turn in Zhao's form, but he missed a number of easy balls, often after potting trickier ones to get in.
The Warrior was happy to accept the gifts and continues a brilliant run which has seen him beat Si Jiahui 6-5 and Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-3.
Zhao Xintong was playing for the first time as world champion (Picture: Getty Images)
Waiting for Wilson in the final is Ali Carter who has had a remarkable event after stepping in as a late replacement for Mark Allen, who withdrew due to personal reasons.
The Captain came from 5-2 behind to beat Mark Williams 6-5 in the last 16, then did the exact same thing to Xiao Guodong in the quarter-finals.
Carter was in trouble again in the semis at 8-6 behind against Mark Selby, but reeled off four frames on the spin to win 10-6.
'I was just out there competing,' said Carter. 'At 8-6 down he missed a blue and it gave me a glimmer of hope. It was very pleasing to get over the line with a one visit.
'I've been 5-2 down twice and 8-6 here. I've been looking to go home and move my flight forward. It is as simple as that. You can have all of the positive things said to you, think this and think that, but the secret is to not think anything. I shouldn't be here now really. If Mark Allen hadn't withdrawn, I hope he is alright, then I wouldn't be.
'I love Shanghai, I love the city and I love the tournament. I won it back in 2010 and it would be great to try and win it on Sunday. Whether it is Kyren Wilson, who is growing in confidence, or the current World Champion and everyone's favourite in China Zhao Xintong. I'm a wily old fox and I'll just see if I can turn up and upset the apple cart.'
More to follow…
Arrow MORE: Zhao Xintong opponent reveals surprise strength of 'the future of snooker'
Arrow MORE: Ali Carter talks Shanghai Masters bonus, Zhao Xintong future and Ronnie O'Sullivan clash
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
12 minutes ago
- Metro
Tottenham suffer major blow as James Maddison injury fears confirmed
James Maddison is set to miss large swathes of the upcoming season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The Tottenham midfielder fell to the pitch in the closing stages of Spurs' pre-season clash with Newcastle on Sunday. Maddison was eventually stretchered off the pitch in clear distress with what appeared to be a serious injury on the eve of the new Premier League season. And Tottenham's worst fears have been confirmed, with the club announcing that the Englishman has suffered an ACL injury which will rule him out for the majority of the season. Maddison is now preparing for surgery before beginning his lengthy rehabilitation process. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don't miss the first edition. 'We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee,' the club said in a statement. 'The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul. 'His surgery will take place in the coming days and, following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team. 'Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way.' Speaking after the game, Thomas Frank confirmed that the injury was to the same knee which ruled Maddison out of the Europa League final at the end of last season. 'James Maddison's injury looks bad. It was a brutal moment,' Frank said. More Trending 'I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That's what we got today. 'It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his teammates and the respect from the Newcastle players. 'We're pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before.' More to follow. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand sends clear message to Benjamin Sesko doubters MORE: Chelsea suffer Levi Colwill injury blow ahead of new Premier League season MORE: Morgan Rogers suffers injury during Aston Villa friendly
South Wales Argus
33 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Jos Buttler aims to follow Joe Root's lead and thrive as an ex-England captain
Buttler stepped down as leader of England's white-ball team earlier this year after two disappointing World Cup campaigns, passing the baton to Harry Brook over the summer. With his 35th birthday just around the corner, he could easily have walked away entirely in pursuit of guaranteed riches as a full-time franchise freelancer. Jos Buttler (top left) joined fellow Hundred stars and children from the Chance to Shine charity at the launch of a new mural in Manchester. (Wasserman/Handout) But he remains committed to following the lead of Root, who has scored 14 hundreds and averaged 58 since being replaced as Test skipper by Ben Stokes. 'It's not that I wasn't enjoying my cricket before, but I obviously wasn't enjoying the way it was going,' he told the PA news agency. 'Part of the challenge of cricket is trying to come through that, being resilient and getting out the other end. 'I've had a bit of time and space and I do feel like I have a better understanding now of where I was as a player and captain. I'm a bit more relaxed and enjoying my cricket again. I do feel like I'm in a new phase of my career. Jos Buttler (right) is taking his lead from Joe Root (left) (Zac Goodwin/PA) 'Now that I'm not captain anymore it's about me playing the best I can for the team. I love playing for England, it's an honour, and I want to do as much as I can. 'Rooty has been a massive inspiration in that, seeing the impact I can have as a senior player. He's gone to some amazing new levels and he knows what it's like to not be captain any more and still give back to the team. That's the opportunity that is out there for me. Joe's a good mate of mine and has been really helpful in making that transition.' Buttler, who is the marquee player for Manchester Originals in the Hundred, was speaking at the unveiling of Compare the Market's new mural in the city, bearing his likeness alongside Southern Brave's Chris Jordan, Emma Lamb of Birmingham Phoenix and three aspiring juniors from the Chance to Shine street cricket programme. The tournament is in its final year before the arrival of eight new investment groups, who are set to pay a combined £520million for a seat at the table. Four teams will be tied to groups involved with Indian Premier League franchises and Buttler, arguably the Englishman most associated with that competition, expects big things. Jos Buttler is excited with the direction the Hundred is heading in (Adam Davy/PA 'The level of investment is mindblowing. It's going to be the next evolution of the Hundred,' he said. 'The IPL is enormous, it's a different beast, and the owners will be bringing new ideas, new expertise and they will want to really push things to be the best they can be. 'The calibre of people getting involved, from the IPL to the tech giants, is awesome. It's going to be a really exciting time for English cricket, on and off the field.' :: Jos Buttler was speaking at the unveiling of a new mural commissioned by principal partner of The Hundred, Compare the Market in partnership with the children's charity, Chance to Shine.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Jos Buttler aims to follow Joe Root's lead and thrive as an ex-England captain
Buttler stepped down as leader of England's white-ball team earlier this year after two disappointing World Cup campaigns, passing the baton to Harry Brook over the summer. With his 35th birthday just around the corner, he could easily have walked away entirely in pursuit of guaranteed riches as a full-time franchise freelancer. Jos Buttler (top left) joined fellow Hundred stars and children from the Chance to Shine charity at the launch of a new mural in Manchester. (Wasserman/Handout) But he remains committed to following the lead of Root, who has scored 14 hundreds and averaged 58 since being replaced as Test skipper by Ben Stokes. 'It's not that I wasn't enjoying my cricket before, but I obviously wasn't enjoying the way it was going,' he told the PA news agency. 'Part of the challenge of cricket is trying to come through that, being resilient and getting out the other end. 'I've had a bit of time and space and I do feel like I have a better understanding now of where I was as a player and captain. I'm a bit more relaxed and enjoying my cricket again. I do feel like I'm in a new phase of my career. Jos Buttler (right) is taking his lead from Joe Root (left) (Zac Goodwin/PA) 'Now that I'm not captain anymore it's about me playing the best I can for the team. I love playing for England, it's an honour, and I want to do as much as I can. 'Rooty has been a massive inspiration in that, seeing the impact I can have as a senior player. He's gone to some amazing new levels and he knows what it's like to not be captain any more and still give back to the team. That's the opportunity that is out there for me. Joe's a good mate of mine and has been really helpful in making that transition.' Buttler, who is the marquee player for Manchester Originals in the Hundred, was speaking at the unveiling of Compare the Market's new mural in the city, bearing his likeness alongside Southern Brave's Chris Jordan, Emma Lamb of Birmingham Phoenix and three aspiring juniors from the Chance to Shine street cricket programme. The tournament is in its final year before the arrival of eight new investment groups, who are set to pay a combined £520million for a seat at the table. Four teams will be tied to groups involved with Indian Premier League franchises and Buttler, arguably the Englishman most associated with that competition, expects big things. Jos Buttler is excited with the direction the Hundred is heading in (Adam Davy/PA 'The level of investment is mindblowing. It's going to be the next evolution of the Hundred,' he said. 'The IPL is enormous, it's a different beast, and the owners will be bringing new ideas, new expertise and they will want to really push things to be the best they can be. 'The calibre of people getting involved, from the IPL to the tech giants, is awesome. It's going to be a really exciting time for English cricket, on and off the field.' :: Jos Buttler was speaking at the unveiling of a new mural commissioned by principal partner of The Hundred, Compare the Market in partnership with the children's charity, Chance to Shine.
