Wu Yize impresses on semi-final debut at the World Snooker Championship

Chinese youngster Wu - who had never won a match on the Crucible stage before this year - seriously impressed on his one-table bow in the hallowed arena, carving out a four-frame advantage heading into their second session on Friday afternoon (14:30BST).

It has been a breakthrough season for the 22-year-old from China. Back in November, he claimed his maiden ranking event title at the International Championship, a result that pushed him up into the world's elite top 16 rankings for the first time.

On his Masters debut he was within a few pots of making the final, and this year as a Crucible seed player for the first time, he has eliminated Lei Peifan, four-time world champion Mark Selby, and Hossein Vafaei to reach his fifth semi-final of the season.

The world number 10 settled with an effort of 77 in the first frame before crafting a counter attack of 55 with the final four reds to double his lead.

Northern Ireland's Allen - appearing in his third world championship semi-final - responded very well, though, fashioning a break of 91 in the third before going into the mid-session interval all-square at 2-2.

However, on resumption, momentum shifted again as runs of 57, 78 and 64 helped Wu string together three consecutive frames and guarantee an overnight lead.

The final frame of the evening was in the balance, but Wu dispatched the final two reds with the colours he needed to take control of the tie.

Higgins and Murphy share the opening exchanges

Earlier in the day, John Higgins and Shaun Murphy ended up locked at four frames each following their first session that broke off this year’s semi-finals action.

Murphy - who eliminated reigning champion Zhao Xintong in the quarter-finals - made breaks of 42 and 68 in depositing the opening frame but four-time world champion Higgins levelled up with frame two.

Runs of 69 and 100 put 2005 champion Murphy 3-1 up at the mid-session interval, although on resumption, Higgins - featuring in his 12th Crucible semi - went back-to-back himself to level at 3-3.

Once again, Murphy - aiming to reach his fifth world final - nudged back in front, but an effort of 50 from Higgins - his only half-century of the afternoon - saw him restore parity at 4-4.

Apart from Murphy's spell just before the intermission, it was a largely scrappy affair. They'll both be hoping to get a good night's rest and raise their games when they resume on Friday morning from 10:00BST.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.