Wu Yize is just one win away from capturing his maiden ranking title after scoring a 9-6 win over World Champion Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals of the International Championship in Nanjing.
The 22-year-old has been hotly pursuing silverware over the last two years. He made semi-finals at the 2023 Wuhan Open and the 2024 Shoot Out.
Wu was a losing finalist twice last season. He was beaten 9-7 by Neil Robertson in the 2024 English Open and 9-5 against Lei Peifan at the 2024 Scottish Open.
A stunning week here will leave him confident he can take the final step in Sunday’s final against either John Higgins or Stephen Maguire. The Scottish duo contest their semi-final tomorrow.
Wu’s path to the final included a sensational 12 frames on the bounce across his 6-4 win over Judd Trump in the last 16 and a 6-0 win over Barry Hawkins in the quarters. He crafted a break of 60 or over in every single one of those frames.
The final also has added significance for both Wu and Chris Wakelin. Should Wu win he will dislodge Wakelin, who is 16th in the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings, and qualify automatically for the final stages of the UK Championship.
Defeat for Crucible king Zhao means he will have to continue his wait for a maiden ranking title in China, as well as a first piece of silverware since winning snooker’s biggest prize back in May.
They came into this evening locked level at 4-4. However, Wu came firing out of the traps this evening and charged towards the finish line. Breaks of 108 and 71 helped him to four consecutive frames and moved Wu one frame from the final at 8-4
Zhao refused to go quietly and crafted contributions of 81 and 50 to turn up the pressure and make it 8-6. However, it was Wu’s day and he clinched a momentous win with a break of 65 in the 15th to book his place in the final.
Wu said: “I’m quite excited. I didn’t think I could actually beat him. In fact, as soon as the second session began, I felt a lot of pressure. He missed a brown ball I didn’t expect in the ninth frame. I was ready to go to the bathroom and prepare for the next frame. It came as a surprise. It was a turning point.
“I know for top players like him, winning consecutive frames is very normal. Nothing could be more normal for him. I just told myself to keep calm and always focus on the frame in hand.
“I’ve definitely improved since my last ranking final, especially recently. I feel I’ve started to make less mistakes in matches, compared to last year.
“Everyone has been quite supportive of me. I enjoy playing out there because I’m playing in my homeland. Everything feels pleasant and joyful. There will be a bit of a home advantage. I hope I can make use of it.”
I’m very pleased that Wu won, simply because I quite like him.🥰. I would be very happy to see him lift the trophy come Sunday.
I’m not amongst those who think that Zhao shouldn’t be playing, never-mind playing as the reigning World Champion. He served his punishment, worked hard to be ready when allowed back on tour and showed his quality at the Crucible. Remember that Zhao did not directly throw a match. He admitted being party to another player fixing two matches and to betting on matches. For those offences he received a 20 months ban. He served it and is back on tour where he belongs.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 