Kyren Wilson defeats World Champion Zhao Xintong to set up Shanghai Masters final with Ali Carter

World number two Wilson will face Ali Carter in Sunday’s two-session, best-of-21 frames title match at the Luwan Gymnasium where there is a £210,000 top prize on offer.

Both Wilson and Carter will be aiming to become the third multiple-time winner of the Shanghai Masters crown, following in the footsteps of Ding Junhui (2013, 2016) and Ronnie O’Sullivan (2009, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023).

Carter was champion in 2010, and nearly a decade ago Wilson produced his big breakthrough in the sport here when claiming his maiden professional title as a qualifier.

Their first big stage meeting on the professional tour, home hero Zhao took the opening frame of Saturday’s semi-final but breaks of 66 and 75 helped Wilson go 2-1 up.

Along with efforts of 113 and 59, Zhao chalked up frames either side of the first mid-session interval to retake the lead. Frames were then traded for the rest of the afternoon session - Wilson registering runs of 70 and 95, Zhao making 95 and 121 - meaning the current world title holder finished the opening act 5-4 ahead.

However, on resumption a few hours later, Wilson went on a six-frame winning streak highlighted by breaks of 70, 101 and 51 to inflict Zhao’s first defeat as the World Champion, and his first in any competitive environment since last November.

Looking ahead to the 2025 Shanghai Masters final

Away from the relatively low-key and behind-closed-doors Championship League, Wilson and Carter have surprisingly only faced each other a handful of times on snooker’s top flight.

Wilson has won their three most recent match-ups in front of a live audience, including a 6-5 semi-final victory at the 2022 European Masters in Furth, Germany - a tournament 'The Warrior' went on to win.

However, this will be their most significant encounter, with one of the most prestigious accolades on the World Snooker Tour up for grabs.

More to follow...

Please visit our 2025 Shanghai Masters tournament information page here for the draw, results, format, match schedule, how to watch details and prize money payouts.