Kyren Wilson holds his nerve to see off Robertson and set up Masters semi-final clash with Yize
Kyren Wilson will take on China's Wu Yize in the semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Masters at Alexandra Palace in London on Saturday night.
The Kettering snooker star came through a thrilling last eight clash with Australian Neil Robertson on Friday evening, securing a 6-5 success to set up the showdown with Yize as he targets a third Masters final appearance.
Wilson looked to be cruising to victory as he opened up 3-0 and 4-1 leads over Robertson thanks to breaks of 110, 59, 105 and 66, but he then lost four frames on the spin to trail 5-4.
'The Warrior' had to dig deep at that point and when given his chance in the 10th frame he potted a superb long red to set up a break of 111 and was able to tie the match at 5-5.
In the tense deciding frame, Robertson held a 23-19 lead when he narrowly missed a long red, and that left Wilson an opening as the ball rolled over a centre pocket.
Wilson, who is based at Barratts Club in Northampton, slotted the red and proceeded to make a break of 42 that Robertson needing snookers.
The Aussie plugged away to try and get back in the game, but Wilson held on to win it and said afterwards: "It was a pleasure to be involved in a game like that.
"I missed the black to go 4-0 up which was a schoolboy error, then another black off the spot at 4-4.
"Neil looked like he had the edge at that moment. I had a bit of luck at the right time at 5-4 down when it could have been game over.
"I potted a really good long red and cleared for 5-5. I got down for that red and just tried to get a good strike on the white, I was chuffed to see it drop.
"At 5-5 we both went to the toilet then when we came back the crowd were applauding and shouting my name, I couldn't help but smile, it gave me goosebumps.
"That's what snooker is all about, the feel-good factor it gives you. Hopefully the fans all went home happy."
Yize set up his semi-final date with a stunning 6-0 last eight win over fellow Chinese player Xiao Guodong, and Wilson, who lost to Shaun Murphy in last year's final, is looking forward to taking on the 22-year-old, who is making his Masters debut.
"Wu Yize is a great talent and very good to watch with a fluent natural style," said world number two Wilson. "I really look forward to taking him on."
The winner will take on either Judd Trump or John Higgins in Sunday's final.
Higgins beat world champion Zhao Xintong 6-5 in the quarters while Trump saw off Mark Allen 6-2. The pair play the first semi-final to a finish on Saturday afternoon.