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Jonathan White

Chinese snooker star Yan Bingtao has reached the semi-finals of his debut Masters tournament after beating Stephen Maguire on Friday, becoming the youngest semi-finalist since Ding Junhui in 2007.
“I‘m absolutely over the moon and really excited about the result. At the beginning I didn’t expect to get through the first round, now I am in the semi-finals,” Yan told World Snooker Tour after his win.
The 20-year-old beat Scotland’s Maguire 6-5 in a match that went back and forth. Yan began by winning the first two frames, with Maguire taking the next three.
World No 11 Yan, playing in his first year at the invite-only Masters, drew level before the pair traded frames until 5-5.

Yan Bingtao will be the youngest @Betfred Masters semi finalist since Ding Junhui in 2007!

He's beaten Stephen Maguire 6-5 #ilovesnooker pic.twitter.com/LSJ4f1U6Bc
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) January 15, 2021

Yan then sealed the win in the decider, just as he did with his first round win over world No 2 Neil Robertson.
“I won both matches on the deciding frame, so that is an achievement for me,” Yan said.
When will Chinese snooker players be in the frame for biggest prizes?
Yan’s 141 break to take victory was a career high and also surpassed Maguire’s tournament high, before John Higgins raised the bar for the prize pot with a 145 in his win over Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Next up for Yan in Milton Keynes, where the Masters is taking place behind closed doors due to Covid-19, is Stuart Bingham with Higgins and David Gilbert facing off in the other semi-final.
Ding, who went out to O’Sullivan in the first round of this year’s Masters, was 19 when he reached the 2007 semi-final.


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Ding Junhui of China leaves after losing to Judd Trump in the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible. Photo: Xinhua

This photo taken on May 2, 2017 shows 19-year-old Xu Si playing a shot during practice at the World Snooker College in Beijing. At the World Snooker College in China's capital, there are no textbooks or exams, just rows upon rows of billiard tables and an ever-growing trophy case. Clad in T-shirts and baggy sweatpants, the lanky teenage students at the Beijing boarding school -- the first of its kind in China -- practise snooker eight hours a day in the hopes of following in the footsteps of their idol Ding Junhui. / AFP PHOTO / Greg Baker / TO GO WITH Snooker-CHN-Ding, FOCUS by Yanan WANG

This photo taken on May 3, 2017 shows coach Hu Bing (L) watching over 13-year-old Ma Hailong during practice at the World Snooker College in Beijing. At the World Snooker College in China's capital, there are no textbooks or exams, just rows upon rows of billiard tables and an ever-growing trophy case. Clad in T-shirts and baggy sweatpants, the lanky teenage students at the Beijing boarding school -- the first of its kind in China -- practise snooker eight hours a day in the hopes of following in the footsteps of their idol Ding Junhui. / AFP PHOTO / Greg Baker / TO GO WITH Snooker-CHN-Ding, FOCUS by Yanan WANG

Seven-time World Championship winner Stephen Hendry of Britain talks with three-year-old Wang Wuka (R) as they play snooker in Beijing, September 22, 2013. Wuka's father Wang Yin, a snooker fan, has been teaching his son the sport for more than two years. The boy, who vows to be a top snooker player, undergoes five hours of training daily to shoot the balls with precision. Picture taken September 22, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA

This photo taken on May 2, 2017 shows 13-year-old student Ma Hailong stretching to play a shot at the World Snooker College in Beijing. At the World Snooker College in China's capital, there are no textbooks or exams, just rows upon rows of billiard tables and an ever-growing trophy case. Clad in T-shirts and baggy sweatpants, the lanky teenage students at the Beijing boarding school -- the first of its kind in China -- practise snooker eight hours a day in the hopes of following in the footsteps of their idol Ding Junhui. / AFP PHOTO / Greg Baker / TO GO WITH Snooker-CHN-Ding, FOCUS by Yanan WANG

(190430) -- SHEFFIELD, April 30, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Ding Junhui of China competes during the third session of the second round match between Ding Junhui of China and Judd Trump of England at World Snooker Championship 2019 in Sheffield, Britain on April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Jon Super)

(190430) -- SHEFFIELD, April 30, 2019 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhou Yuelong (R) competes during the third session of the second round match between China's Zhou Yuelong and England's Ali Carter at World Snooker Championship 2019 in Sheffield, Britain on April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Jon Super)

(060320) -- BEIJING, March 20, 2006 (Xinhua) -- Ding Junhui, 2005 China Open champion, hits the ball during his training for the 2006 World Snooker China Open Championships in Beijing, March 20, 2006. The tournament begins Monday at Beijing University Students Gymnasium and the final will be staged on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo/Meng Yongmin)(wll/why)

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(190120) -- LONDON, Jan. 20, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Ding Junhui of China competes during his semifinal match against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England at Snooker Masters 2019 in London, Britain on Jan. 19, 2019. O'Sullivan won 6 to 3. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

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China’s Yan Bingtao plays a shot during the semi-final of the 2020 Coral Players Championship in Southport, England, in February. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Yan Bingtao of China reacts during a quarter-final match against Joe Perry of England on day four of 2020 Coral Players Championship at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre on February 27, 2020 in Southport, England. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

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Neil Robertson of Australia competes during the 2019 World Snooker China Open tournament in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

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China

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Career high 141 break seals decisive frame and meeting with Stuart Bingham for a place in the final
The 20-year-old becomes the youngest to reach the last four since 19-year-old Ding Junhui in 2007



Career high 141 break seals decisive frame and meeting with Stuart Bingham for a place in the final.
