International Championship - Kyren Wilson reaches final after coming from behind to defeat Fan Zhengyi

Victory secured Kyren Wilson his place in a 20th ranking final and, after trailing from the first session, he said his aim was to land a ”killer blow” to stop Fan Zhengyi. The 2024 world champion said that happened when he pinched the 13th frame with a clearance of 63. 

"Fan handled it a lot better than me in the afternoon,” Wilson told World Snooker. ”I knew that my form was there and it was about dusting myself down and coming back this evening.

"I felt like I was trying to land a killer blow and that good clearance to go 7-6 up was that. Fan struggled after that.

"Those frames are massive. They are the ones that hurt when you are sat in your chair. It puts a bit more pressure on you, because you know if you can take that frame from your opponent it can be the difference. 

"It is lovely to be in my 20th ranking event final. I didn't know that so it is a great stat to take away with me. I'm nowhere near where I want to be and there are other legends in the game that I'm miles off. I'm doing alright though.” 

After winning the Northern Ireland Open last time out, Wilson has the chance to join Jak Jones as a multiple winner in the 2026/27 season.

"Even reaching back-to-back finals is an achievement in itself,” Wilson said. ”The number of centuries is through the roof. I want to congratulate Fan on a great week. He is a fantastic potter with lots of potential. It is a really good win, but hopefully it doesn't stop there and I can go one better."

Thanks for following our coverage of today's semi-final in Nanjing.

We have another one for you to look forward to on Friday, as John Higgins locks horns with Chang Bingyu for the right to face Wilson in Saturday's showpiece.

Make sure you join us but, until then, enjoy the rest of your day!

Kyren Wilson booked his place in the International Championship final, after coming from behind to beat Fan Zhengyi 9-6 in Nanjing.

'The Warrior' trailed 5-3 at the end of the opening session, but won six of the last seven frames to progress to his 20th ranking showpiece.

Local favourite Fan, who was appearing at this stage of a ranking event for only the second time in his career, hit breaks of 70 and 59 to put himself 3-2 to the good.

Wilson, on a 10-match winning streak, responded with 84, but missed the black to steal the seventh frame from 51-6 down, allowing a relieved Fan to go ahead once again.

The former European Masters champion capitalised on his reprieve, with a wonderful run of 103 giving him a two-frame lead for the first time.

However, Fan could not convert early opportunities during the second session, and was ruthlessly punished by a resurgent Wilson.

Wilson had contributions of 102, 84 and 86 to move 6-5 ahead, though Fan stopped the rot with 62 to level again.

Yet the Chinese failed to convert another opportunity in frame 13, breaking down on 50 when 58-5 to the good. Wilson cleared with 63 to punch on the black, before further runs of 100 and 53 got him over the line.

That's all 11 straight wins for the Warrior!

Wilson pots the few balls needed to get him over the line.

He's the first man through to this year's final!

Another chance for Wilson after a loose safety from Fan.

Can he take this one...?

Hold the back page!

Wilson misses a relatively straightforward red to the right corner.

Reprieve for Fan...

Wilson crunches in a stunning long red, and he's nicely on the black.

This is a great chance to secure frame and match.

It's been an edgy start to this 15th frame, which is hardly surprising really.

Wilson needs one more for victory, while Fan's fighting to stay alive.

The Warrior's getting stronger as the finish line draws nearer.

A break of exactly 100 moves him within a frame of a place in the final.

A nerveless 63 clearance sees the Warrior snatch frame 13 on the black.

It edges him closer to the winning line, and will really hurt his opponent.

Fan will seriously hope his lacking of a clinical edge won't come back to bite him.

He's well on course for 7-6, until missing a routine black off the spot.

Can Wilson counter this time...?

That's what it now is, as the two players return to the arena.

Who will hold their nerve as the pressure intensifies...?

We're all square once again heading into the mid-session interval.

Fan pots the remaining balls, and it's now effectively the best of five frames for a place in the final.

Wilson needs three snookers, but plays on for now.

The local favourite will be breathing a sigh of relief.

Wilson misses the penultimate red to the left corner, and Fans knocks it in.

He's nearly over the line in this 12th frame.

Once again, Fan can't fully convert his opportunity.

This time, he breaks down on 62 when he only needed a couple more pots to secure the frame.

Wilson's back at the table, and this would really hurt his opponent if he stole from here.

It's another harsh lesson for Fan.

Wilson means business here, as he clears to the pink with 86 to edge his nose back in front.

Fan's going along nicely until he misses a red to the right corner.

Wilson has the chance to counter.