DAQING, CHINA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Home audiences of 2017 World Snooker International Championhip witnessed teenager Yan Bingtao surprisingly overwhlemed John Higgins 6-2 to set his personal record of being last four in ranking events here in Daqing on Thursday night.
The 17-year-old was on fire since the first frame of the match. He soon established his lead with 84-0, 63-28 and 120-0. A 55-point break helped Higgins avoid to be swept before the interval, but Yan continued his dominance in the fifth frame with 123-0. The 72-0 sixth frame was Higgins's last victory tonight before he lost another two frames to see Yan heads into the semifinal with 6-2.
"He totally outplays me, and he plays fantastically. He is superb. He is clever when he is in trouble, he's got everything." Higgins spoke very highly of his young Chinese opponent, who is only one year old than his son.
He also said that the way Yan played in the match tonight reminded him of "maybe a younger Steve Davis." "He will be a future world champion, no problem," Added him.
Yan was thrilled about his personal career milestone. This is the second time he reached quarterfinal and first time semifinal in ranking events. When asked whether he could be the next Ding Junhui, he commented humbly that "Ding is a legend of China's snooker and I think it's almost impossible to surpass or be as good as him."
"I only can say that I'll try hard to be a best Yan Bingtao." He said.
After surviving the 11-frame clash with Judd Trump tonight, Mark Allen will be Yan's opponent on Friday.
In the earlier quarterfinals, world No. 1 Mark Selby stormed four frames after the 2-2 tie with Robbie Williams to play against Martin Gould, who defeated Ali Carter 6-5, for another ticket to the final.
