Xiao beats defending champion Allen to reach semis

Xiao Guodong defeated 2023 victor Mark Allen 6-3 arsenic helium moved into the last of the Champion of Champions successful Bolton.

China's Xiao, who is enjoying his champion run arsenic a professional, took the opener with a 71 clearance aft satellite fig 3 Allen broke down connected 65 and helium besides enjoyed runs of 83 and 71 to found a 3-1 pb astatine the interval.

However, the Northern Irishman drew level astatine 3-3 earlier Xiao pulled wide again, taking 2 hard-fought frames earlier sealing his victory.

Xiao, who had already beaten Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby connected his mode to the past four, volition present look either Mark Williams oregon Neil Robertson connected Sunday (13:00 GMT) successful a conflict for the £150,000 apical prize.