Zhao Xintong produced a scintillating display to open up a 12-4 lead against seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in their World Championship semi-final.
From an overnight score of 4-4, Zhao won all eight frames on Friday morning to become only the fourth player to win a session 8-0 against O’Sullivan at the Crucible.
In the afternoon session in Sheffield, Judd Trump looked set fair for a big lead when he pulled 7-3 ahead of Mark Williams, but the veteran Welshman reined in the 2019 champion to leave the pair at 8-8 overnight.
Englishman O’Sullivan, 49, who has made no secret about struggling with his cue since snapping his old one at the Championship League in January, decided to get a new tip after Thursday’s opening session against Zhao.
However, it did not have the desired impact as he missed a series of regulation pots against an opponent who punished him in ruthless fashion.
Zhao, a former UK Championship winner who is competing as an amateur, delivered the sort of clinical performance that suggests he may be ready to become the first player from China to take the title in Sheffield.
The 28-year-old compiled breaks of 112 and 115 as well as five other half-centuries to take complete control of the contest, earning a standing ovation from an appreciative Crucible crowd.
Their match resumes on Friday evening at 19:00 BST, with Zhao requiring five frames to reach the final.
