Kyren Wilson Battles to International Championship Final After Fan Zhengyi Win

Kyren Wilson Reaches Nanjing Final After Defeating Fan Zhengyi

Kyren Wilson advanced to the 20th ranking final of his career following a 9-6 victory over China’s Fan Zhengyi in the semi-finals of the International Championship in Nanjing, wst.tv reported. The Englishman enters the title match in strong form after capturing the Alex Higgins Trophy at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast with a 9-2 win over Jak Jones. A victory in Sunday’s final would secure back-to-back ranking titles for Wilson, making him the 16th player in snooker history to accomplish the feat, matching Zhao Xintong’s run last season at the World Grand Prix and Players Championship.

Fan held a 5-3 lead after the afternoon session, but Wilson shifted momentum immediately upon the evening resumption. Breaks of 102, 84, and 86 propelled the world number nine ahead at 6-5. Fan leveled the score in the 12th frame and looked positioned to take the next when he missed a black off the spot holding a 58-5 advantage in the 13th frame. Wilson capitalized with a 63 clearance to steal the frame and claim a 7-6 edge, later adding breaks of 100 and 53 to close out the match.

Fan handled it a lot better than me in the afternoon, Wilson said after the match. I knew that my form was there and it was about dusting myself down and coming back this evening. I felt like I was trying to land a killer blow and that good clearance to go 7-6 up was that. Fan struggled after that.

The 34-year-old acknowledged the significance of the tight exchanges in the latter stages of the contest. Those frames are massive. They are the ones that hurt when you are sat in your chair. It puts a bit more pressure on you, because you know if you can take that frame from your opponent it can be the difference, Wilson stated. Regarding his career milestone, he added, It is lovely to be in my 20th ranking event final. I didn’t know that so it is a great stat to take away with me. I’m nowhere near where I want to be and there are other legends in the game that I’m miles off. I’m doing alright though.

Sunday Final Matchup and Tournament Stakes in Nanjing

Fan concludes his run at the semi-final stage, falling short of securing his second career ranking title following his victory at the 2002 European Masters where he defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan. Wilson praised his opponent’s performance throughout the week, noting, Even reaching back-to-back finals is an achievement in itself. The number of centuries is through the roof. I want to congratulate Fan on a great week. He is a fantastic potter with lots of potential. It is a really good win, but hopefully it doesn’t stop there and I can go one better.

Wilson advances to face either Wuhan Open champion Chang Bingyu or four-time World Champion John Higgins in Sunday’s final. The winner of the match will claim the £175,000 top prize at the International Championship.

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