Kyren Wilson demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship after edging past Neil Robertson in a thrilling 6-5 final-frame decider at the Masters, immediately turning attention to his defeated opponent's quality.
The contest between the world's second and third-ranked players delivered everything the Alexandra Palace crowd of over 2,000 had hoped for, with Wilson eventualling prevailing.
Speaking after his victory, he toold the BBC: "It was a fantastic game and I am glad it lived up to its billing.
"Neil is a fantastic champion and on any other day he drifts inside the black spot and it's 6-4."
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Wilson now advances to face Wu Yize in tonight's semi-final at 7pm, with a place in Sunday's showpiece match at stake.
The snooker star's attacking style proved devastating in the early stages, with a magnificent 110 break in the opening frame setting the tone for what followed.
The Englishman's aggressive approach yielded another century and two half-centuries as he surged into a commanding 4-1 advantage.
Neil Robertson pushed Kyren Wilson all the way at the Masters
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Robertson, struggling to find his rhythm, then mounted a remarkable fightback that threatened to end Wilson's tournament hopes.
The Australian strung together back-to-back centuries and a 65 break, winning four frames in succession to seize a 5-4 lead.
Facing elimination, Wilson responded with a superb 111 clearance to force the decider, before grinding out a determined 42 in the final frame to seal victory.
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Five quirky facts about snooker | PA"I made a really good clearance for 5-5 and just dug it out," Wilson reflected.
Wilson's triumph comes amid a turbulent 2025-26 campaign that has tested him both professionally and personally.
The world No 2 revealed in December that he came close to suffering a "mental breakdown" during his last-32 exit to Elliot Slessor at the UK Championship.
Adding to his difficulties, Wilson was forced to abandon the cue he used to claim his maiden world title in 2024 after it sustained damage in a freak accident.
Having now found a suitable replacement, the Englishman appears to have rediscovered both his form and self-belief.
One moment encapsulated his renewed confidence: a stunning long red potted under immense pressure at 5-4 down after Robertson had left him on the top cushion.
Kyren Wilson will face Wu Yize at the Masters later tonight
|PA
"I just had to make something happen," Wilson explained.
Wilson's semi-final opponent booked his place with a ruthless display earlier on Friday, as Wu Yize demolished compatriot Xiao Guodong 6-0 in a one-sided affair.
The 22-year-old, who captured his first ranking title at the International Championship in November, opened with a stunning 112 break before adding efforts of 93, 60, 84 and 97.
Wu is bidding to become just the seventh player to lift the prestigious invitational trophy on debut.
"It is definitely a dream stage for me from since I was a little kid," Wu said.
"I just told myself to enjoy every moment of this match and give my best and obviously it is a great performance."