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Agence France-Presse

Chinese snooker sensation Si Jiahui continued his remarkable World Championship debut by surging into an 11-5 semi-final lead over Luca Brecel on Friday.
The 20-year-old needs just six more frames for victory when the match resumes later on Friday as he bids to become the youngest finalist at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
He could also become the first debutant world champion since Terry Griffiths back in 1979 and the first Chinese player to win the trophy.
Compatriot Ding Junhui reached the final in 2016 but lost 18-14 to England’s Mark Selby.
Si could face the same opponent in the final as the four-time champion is locked in a tight battle in the other semi-final with Mark Allen of Northern Ireland.

Si, ranked No 80 in the world, showed few signs of nerves after resuming with an overnight lead of 5-3.
The qualifier won four of Friday’s first five frames, with a contribution of 122 the best of a quartet of breaks all worth more than 50 points each.
Brecel, who played superbly to defeat seven-times world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarterfinals, could only manage a lone half-century in reply.
Si received a standing ovation from the crowd at the end of the session following contributions of 55 and 71.
A particular feature of Si’s play was his excellent long-distance potting.
“I’ve been coming to the Crucible since 1977 and I’ve enjoyed watching this young player as much as anyone I’ve ever seen here,” said former world champion turned television commentator Dennis Taylor on the BBC.

The 20-year-old Chinese player has been a revelation on his debut at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, the unofficial home of snooker.
He squeezed past Scotland’s Anthony McGill 13-12 in the quarterfinals to set up a showdown with Luca Brecel, himself a surprise victor over seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Si’s storming run has seen him mentioned in the same breath as the legendary O’Sullivan – he is the youngest player to make it to the last four in Sheffield since the Briton in 1996.
At 80 in the world, Si – who had to win three qualifying matches to reach the Crucible – is the lowest-ranked player in the tournament.
If he does the unthinkable and goes on to win the title, Si will be the first Chinese player to lift the world crown, surpassing even Chinese trailblazer Ding Junhui.

According to Chinese media – who this week described him as “gentle” and someone who “doesn’t talk much” – Si caused a sensation at home when as a 13-year-old he beat Ding.
At this world championship, the qualifier Si beat Shaun Murphy in the first round and the 2005 Crucible winner afterwards tipped Si to become China’s first world snooker champion.
“I see things in him that some of the other players don’t have,” said Murphy, the fourth seed and one of the pre-tournament favourites.
“He’s got a bit of swagger, he’s very talented, plays right and left-handed, gets on with it, and always tries to attack.
“I threw everything at him, I tried my absolute best and I still lost.”
10 Chinese players to miss Crucible with match-fixing hearing set for April
Si’s exploits are timely – just as 10 fellow Chinese players suspended over alleged match-fixing fight for their future and the reputation of Chinese snooker.
A hearing looking into the evidence against them began this week, the BBC reported, although verdicts will not be announced until a later date. They face lengthy bans if found guilty.
Si, who comes from the eastern province of Zhejiang, is based in Sheffield and only turned professional in 2019.


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World Snooker

China’s Si Jiahui closing in on World Snooker Championship final

China’s Si Jiahui in action against Belgium’s Luca Brecel on day 14 of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Photo: AP

China’s Si Jiahui in action against Belgium’s Luca Brecel. Photo: AP

Si Jiahui celebrates after his quarterfinal win against Anthony McGill. Photo: Xinhua

World Snooker Championship: China’s Si Jiahui continues stunning run to reach semis after Anthony McGill nail-biter

Si Jiahui of China celebrates after his victory against Anthony McGill at snooker’s World Championship in Sheffield. Photo: Xinhua

Si Jiahui of China plays a shot during his quarterfinal against Anthony McGill. Photo: Xinhua

Anthony McGill (right) congratulates Si Jiahui on his win. Photo: Xinhua

Ronnie O’Sullivan (right) congratulates Luca Brecel after their quarterfinal at the World Snooker Championship. Photo: Xinhua

World Snooker Championship: China’s Si Jiahui ‘can’t believe’ he is into quarter-finals after cruising past Milkins

John Higgins is a four-time world champion having won his last title in 2011. Photo: World Snooker Tour

Si Jiahui was  just two frames away from securing his place in the quarter-finals going into Monday afternoon’s session. Photo: World Snooker Tour

World Snooker Championship: China’s Si Jiahui takes second round lead, as O’Sullivan crushes Vafaei with session to spare

Si Jiahui is up 6-2 after the first session of his second round match against Robert Milkins at the World Championship in Sheffield. Photo: Handout

Ronnie O’Sullivan crushed opponent Hossein Vafaei in the second round. Photo: Getty Images

World Snooker Championship: China’s Si tipped to win it all after stunning victory over Shaun Murphy in first round

Si Jiahui outgunned former champion Shaun Murphy 10-9 in the first round of the World Championship. Photo: World Snooker Tour

World No 4 Shaun Murphy believes Si Jiahui will become the first World Champion from China. Photo: World Snooker Tour

Si Jiahui (left) has now won both his meetings with Shaun Murphy. Photo: World Snooker Tour

Sport

China

Chinese snooker sensation continues his remarkable World Championship debut by surging into an 11-5 semi-final lead over Luca Brecel on Friday
The 20-year-old needs just six more frames for victory when the match resumes later on Friday as he bids to become youngest finalist at the Crucible


Chinese snooker sensation, 20, continues his remarkable World Championship debut by surging into an 11-5 semi-final lead over Luca Brecel on Friday.


World Snooker Championship

China’s Si Jiahui closing in on World Snooker Championship final

Chinese snooker sensation continues his remarkable World Championship debut by surging into an 11-5 semi-final lead over Luca Brecel on Friday The 20-year-old needs just six more frames for victory when the match resumes later on Friday as he bids to become youngest finalist at the Crucible

Chinese snooker sensation continues his remarkable World Championship debut by surging into an 11-5 semi-final lead over Luca Brecel on Friday

The 20-year-old needs just six more frames for victory when the match resumes later on Friday as he bids to become youngest finalist at the Crucible