In a thrilling all-Chinese semifinal clash at the WST International Championship in Nanjing, 20-year-old snooker prodigy Wu Yize overcame reigning world champion Zhao Xintong 9-6 on Friday, securing his spot in Sunday's final.
The match saw dramatic momentum shifts, with Wu initially building a 6-4 lead through precision breaks including a tournament-high 140 clearance. Zhao fought back to level at 6-6 before Wu's post-interval dominance sealed the victory through four consecutive frames featuring century breaks.
"This means everything," Wu told reporters after the match. "Beating a world champion gives me confidence I can compete at this level." The victory extends Wu's career advantage over Zhao to 6-3 in head-to-head meetings.
Wu now prepares to face Scottish veteran John Higgins in Sunday's final, where the World No. 22 aims to claim his first major ranking title. Higgins advanced after defeating compatriot Stephen Maguire 9-5 in the other semifinal.
The Nanjing-hosted championship has drawn record crowds, underscoring snooker's growing popularity in Asia. With over 50 million Chinese viewers tuning in via streaming platforms, the event highlights China's expanding influence in global sports culture.
