RESULT: Ronnie O'Sullivan 7-17 Zhao Xintong
China's Zhao into first final, beating seven-time champion O'Sullivan with a session to spare
END OF SESSION: Judd Trump 8-8 Mark Williams - resumes at 10:00 BST on Saturday
Semi-final matches are best of 33 frames
O'Sullivan 4-9 Zhao
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two
Ronnie O'Sullivan is in massive trouble now without a shadow of a doubt. It's not like he is missing a lot, but there's been a couple of misplaced safety shots and he's a had a couple of chances that he hasn't converted. It's the Zhao Xintong story at the moment.
O'Sullivan 4-9 Zhao
Zhao Xintong misses the black into the corner pocket, but an opening break of 67 is enough as Ronnie O'Sullivan concedes the frame.
The Rocket needs to dig and scrap in a frame or two here.
O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao
John Virgo
1979 UK Championship winner on BBC Two
We've hardly seen anything of Ronnie O'Sullivan this morning. Zhao Xintong is making everything look simple and hasn't really broken stride.
O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao
We are back under way at the Crucible, and Zhao Xintong has picked up where he left off. He's just potted a red into the bottom corner and screwed the ball back into the pack of reds to open them up.
We mentioned him earlier, and here you can see snooker cue master craftsman John Parris in the workshop where he and his team have made so many cues for the good and great of the sport, including Ronnie O'Sullivan. Steve Davis and Jimmy White.
'He's quite fussy!' - Meet the man who makes O'Sullivan's cues
O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two
Zhao Xintong looks very sharp. Unfortunately for Ronnie O'Sullivan and his fans he doesn't look very sharp at all. Ronnie looks all at sea at the moment and his opponent is jumping on every opportunity.
O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao
The 12th frame inevitably ends up with Zhao Xintong after he plants a red then leaves Ronnie O'Sullivan needing snookers. The Rocket concedes and walks off for the mid-session interval looking rather ashen faced.
Zhao has been exceptional here.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Zhao
John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two
All going the way of Zhao Xintong at the moment. Worrying times for the Ronnie O'Sullivan camp.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Zhao
At 63-23 in Zhao Xintong's favour in the 12th frame Ronnie O'Sullivan is able to return to the table. But with 43 left on the table, the Rocket fouls on a routine safety shot which means he is left needing a snooker.
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O'Sullivan 4-7 Zhao
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two
Nobody has really scratched the surface with Ronnie O'Sullivan in this tournament yet. Zhao Xintong is a different kettle of fish.
O'Sullivan 4-7 Zhao
Zhao Xintong misses a red into the corner pocket, so another century break eludes him, but it's academic as he notches up his third frame of the morning.
Sublime snooker from the player from China at the moment.
John Virgo
1979 UK Championship winner on BBC Two
Zhao Xintong is cueing with so much confidence and calmness now.
O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhao
Ronnie O'Sullivan has barely been on the table so far. Zhao Xintong compiles a break of 83 and is eyeing up back-to-back century breaks here.
The Rocket pensively stares at the floor.
O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhao
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two
As soon as Zhao Xintong came out he settled in. He hasn't been overawed by facing Ronnie O'Sullvan. His cue power - he just seems to stroke them in - reminds me of a young Jimmy White. The way he plays the game is sort of a carbon copy of it. He just gets through the cue ball so sweetly.
O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhao
A monster frame from Zhao Xintong of China who moves two frames clear of Ronnie O'Sullivan
The Chinese player ease himself around the table and pots with ease en route to a break of 112.
How will the Rocket react here?
O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhao
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two
Zhao Xintong made that look so easy. The way he took those balls. He strolls around the table and has such a wonderful style. When you have a new tip as Ronnie O'Sullivan does, some shots become more difficult and he's over-thinking about it.
O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhao
First blood to Zhao Xintong in the morning session.
The players exchange modest breaks before the Chinese player clears the remaining reds and starts to work on the colours. He misses the green into the middle pocket but 57 is enough for him to nudge a frame ahead.
O'Sullivan 4-4 Zhao
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two
I tipped Zhao Xintong because of his form and the way he played in qualifying. He's just come through the field very quickly. He plays with such grace and such calmness. He doesn't look like he is under pressure but is someone who is loving every minute.
O'Sullivan 4-4 Zhao
Zhao Xintong takes on early long pot but misses the corner pocket and the white ends up settled in the middle of the table, but Ronnie O'Sullivan rattles a red into the jaws of the same pocket when he follows up.
A few early nerves?
