Chinese player Din Junhui qualified for the semi-finals of the WST English Open after defeating Kieran Wilson 6-2 in Brentwood, England, on Friday.
In the quarter-final match, which was played to 11 frames, Din started the game very confidently, winning the first three frames consecutively, thus establishing a 3-0 lead.
The 39-year-old athlete opened the competition with a break of 93 points, winning the first frame with the same score, and scored 70 points in the second. The third frame also brought him a significant contribution of 87 points, allowing Din to increase his advantage without letting his opponent score a single point.
Kieran Wilson managed to find his rhythm in the fourth frame. The Englishman made a break of 98 points to reach the scoreboard, and then added another 103 points supported by 79 points, reducing Din's deficit to 3-2.
As Wilson began to threaten a comeback, Din stabilized the game in the tense sixth frame. A break of 59 points helped the Chinese player win 80-50, regaining a two-frame lead.
Din then approached victory, scoring 76 points in the seventh frame and winning it 76-17, giving him a 5-2 advantage. The eighth frame was much closer, but Din managed to overcome Wilson 64-59, concluding the victory 6-2 and securing his place in the final four.
Din Junhui's next opponent will be Ali Carter, who overcame a 5-3 deficit to defeat Zhou Yuelun from China 6-5. Zhou was one frame away from setting up a semi-final match between Chinese players before Carter won the last three frames, making an impressive turnaround in the game.
In another part of the tournament bracket, Sean Murphy managed to survive a decisive battle in the final frame against Judd Trump, winning 6-5. Trump made a clearance of 112 points to level the score at 5-5, but the 'Magician' remained calm in the deciding frame to advance.
Murphy will face three-time world champion Mark Williams, who defeated his Welsh compatriot Liam Davis 6-3 after their match went to a break at 2-2. Williams cemented his victory with a clearance of 112 points in the ninth frame, which also marked a 700th century break in his professional career.