World champion Zhao Xintong and world number two Kyren Wilson have secured their spots in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters after delivering standout performances. Wilson, the 2024 world champion, triumphed over seven-time Crucible winner Ronnie O'Sullivan with a commanding 6-3 victory, marking his third consecutive win against the snooker legend. Reflecting on his journey, Wilson shared, "This event changed my life 10 years ago. I didn't know where I was going and [I was] down in the 50s and 60s in the rankings."

Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong, making his first appearance since his World Championship win in May, showcased his dominance with a 6-1 victory over compatriot Ding Junhui. Zhao's performance was highlighted by impressive breaks of 134, 132, and 118, securing his win in under 90 minutes.

The other semi-final will feature an all-English clash between Mark Selby and Ali Carter. Selby, a four-time world champion, defeated world number one Judd Trump 6-4, with a top score of 137. Carter, on the other hand, staged a remarkable comeback from a 2-5 deficit to defeat Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong 6-5 in a nail-biting decider.

The semi-finals promise to be a thrilling spectacle, with Selby and Carter set to face off on Friday, 1 August, followed by the highly anticipated clash between Wilson and Zhao on Saturday, 2 August. Snooker fans around the world are eagerly awaiting these high-stakes matches.