Wilson and Zhao set up Shanghai semi-final
Zhao Xintong had only won two career titles before winning the World Championship in May
- Published
World champion Zhao Xintong and world number two Kyren Wilson will meet in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters after eliminating Ding Junhui and Ronnie O'Sullivan respectively.
Wilson, the 2024 world champion, surged to a 6-3 win over seven-time Crucible winner O'Sullivan, his third consecutive win against him.
Wilson, who won the first of his 10 career titles in Shanghai in 2015, said: "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."
Zhao, playing on the tour for the first time since winning the World Championship in May, eased to a 6-1 victory against compatriot Ding Junhui.
The Chinese player recorded breaks of 134, 132 and 118 as he secured victory in under 90 minutes.
The other semi-final will be contested by English pair Mark Selby and Ali Carter.
Four-time world champion Selby saw off world number one Judd Trump 6-4, recording a top score of 137.
Carter had to overcome a 2-5 deficit for the second match in a row, as he won the deciding frame to defeat Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong 6-5.
Selby and Carter will meet on Friday, 1 August, before Wilson and Zhao go head to head on Saturday, 2 August.