German Masters: Zhao Xintong wins to set up all-Chinese final against Yan Bingtao
Zhao Xintong has reached the 2022 German Masters final
Zhao Xintong will face compatriot Yan Bingtao in the German Masters final after seeing off Ricky Walden in the semi-finals.
Zhao Xintong booked his place in the German Masters final on Saturday afternoon, winning the last five frames against Ricky Walden.
Xintong surprisingly eased his way to the semi-final after beating world No.2 Judd Trump in the previous round, but the 24-year-old found himself down early on.
Walden claimed a 3-1 lead before the interval of Saturday's match-up at the Tempodrom.
However, Xintong clinched the fifth frame 63-60, which turned out to be the catalyst for a comeback.
Shortly after, Xintong followed it up with two half-century breaks and a clearance of 100 in the ninth frame to secure a 6-3 victory.
Zhao Xintong wins five frames in a row to advance to the final of the BildBet German Masters!
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) January 29, 2022
6-3 #GermanMasters #BVEuroSeries pic.twitter.com/wWrt0ukGmj
Now in the final, Xintong will face his compatriot Yan Bingtao, who also enjoyed a dramatic finish to his semi-final.
Bingtao also fell behind early in his match, as opponent Mark Allen took a 2-1 lead.
But, the 2021 Masters champion made clearances of 116 and 53 as he built up a 4-2 lead.
It's an all-Chinese final! ??
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) January 29, 2022
Yan Bingtao beats Mark Allen 6-4 and will meet Zhao Xintong in tomorrow's final #GermanMasters #BVEuroSeries pic.twitter.com/ZaVP5YqmZm
Allen managed to reduce the deficit with a century, but Bingtao took the eighth frame to move himself closer to victory.
Allen again clawed his way back into contention, and both made mistakes during a tense finale, but world No.15 Bingtao eventually claimed a 6-4 win.
The all-Chinese final will be played over two sessions on Sunday, January 30.
