UK Championship 2024: Kyren Wilson sets up mouthwatering Judd Trump semi-final after impressing in win over Michael Holt

Kyren Wilson fell short of a 147 to wrap up the match in a 6-3 last-eight victory over Michael Holt, but will be solely focused on the next task at hand as he faces Judd Trump in the UK Championship semi-finals. The world champion exuded quality throughout in York, charging ahead with a 3-0 lead, before the world No. 98 momentarily threatened an unlikely comeback.

Kyren Wilson booked a UK Championship semi-final clash with Judd Trump after an impressive 6-3 win over Michael Holt on Friday evening.

Wilson took the initiative early and posted a speedy half-century, capitalising on a red left hanging over the bottom left pocket.

While his run was halted at 52, it proved a handy lead, as Holt stalled at 14, allowing the world champion another chance among the balls - rattling home a mere 14 to put the opening frame to bed.

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The world No. 2 continued in fine fettle, "potting like a demon" according to Eurosport's Philip Studd, and exuded real quality at the baize to quickly establish a two-frame cushion.

It began as a tactical battle, but Wilson saw his moment to seize when Holt sent the cue ball into the top left pocket after kissing a nearby red.

The world champion took full advantage, posting a 72 break - demonstrating to Holt that any errors would be duly punished.

'Potting like a demon' - Wilson in fine form to double lead over Holt

Video credit: TNT Sports

While the third frame was valiantly contested, Wilson continued his charge for a speedy 3-0 lead.

Holt's slack safety play once again let Wilson in, but The Warrior responded with an error of his own as Holt found an eight-point lead.

The world No. 98, though, again blundered on a red, leaving the door open for Wilson to clean up.

This time, the Northern Ireland Open champion made no mistake, clinically extending his lead to three with sumptuous potting aplenty.

But Holt did not let the deficit blight him, embarking on an immediate run of 31 after Wilson spurned a long red. The Hitman cobbled together the highest break of the match so far at 64 to cut Wilson's lead.

Holt seemed resurgent, and rattled home a quick 30 in search of cutting Wilson's lead further, but fell short on a blue as Wilson got back among the balls.

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The world No. 2 made no mistake in clearing the table with a fine 72 to move within two frames of victory.

But he was pegged back twice, as Holt threatened a truly unlikely comeback - the Englishman exhibiting some nice break-building, while Wilson was being drawn into some uncharacteristic mistakes.

But the world champion emphatically put the game to bed with a three-frame cushion, and looked on course for a stunning maximum break, but fell short after a miss on the black.

Regardless, it was a champion's performance from Wilson, who will face Trump in the semi-finals - the latter dazzling with a 6-2 win over Zhang Anda earlier on Friday.

ALLEN DOWNS LISOWSKI

Mark Allen, meanwhile, set up a semi-final with Barry Hawkins after dispatching Jack Lisowski 6-3.

The world No. 3 was frustrated by his performance in the opening round against Jackson Page, but responded in fine style to down Wu Yize and produce a strong display against Lisowski.

When asked how he has managed to improve his display in such a short period of time, he told Eurosport: "I think I need it more than anyone else.

"The other day I was lost, when I played Jackson I was lost. My alignment was a little bit out, that explained some of the easy misses that were creeping in. I felt like I was cueing well but the balls weren’t going where I want them to.

"Using an alignment aid and I’m not comfortable with it yet, but much better than I was in round one."

Allen got off to a flying start, storming the opening frame with a break of 59.

However, the world No. 21 responded in style, levelling the match with a run of 114 in the second.

'Like a dream' - Lisowski posts classy century to level against Allen

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Jackpot took the initiative at the start of the third, but the frame soon descended into an exchange of safety play.

Lisowski came out on top, potting a superb red before missing a crucial shot on the green to give Allen a chance.

'Talk about going on the attack' - Lisowski pots 'outrageous' long red

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Pistol could not capitalise, and Lisowski had the chance to take control with a simple shot on the blue, but he missed at the crucial moment.

Allen closed the gap, leaving the black to decide the frame, but Lisowski edged the epic battle to take a 2-1 lead. The Englishman then doubled his advantage with a break of 88 to take a 3-1 lead into the interval.

'What a steal' - Lisowski claims third frame after epic battle on black

Video credit: TNT Sports

The world No. 3 made it 3-2 with a defiant display that forced Lisowski to concede the fifth frame.

But Allen found parity at 3-3 moments later, capping off a one-sided frame with a sensational visit of 103.

The Pistol completed the turnaround with a 67-6 victory in the seventh to take a 4-3 lead, and he did not look back.

It was ultimately a frustrating evening for Lisowski, who displayed some inspired potting but was caught lacking on the ugly side of the game, and the tie appeared to be slipping through his fingers as Allen moved within a frame of victory with a break of 69.

Lisowski slams home red in Alex Higgins-esque style - 'Flashbacks to the great man'

Video credit: TNT Sports

And the ninth developed into a fierce battle, notably on green with just colours on the table and Allen 67-41 ahead – as Lisowski desperately searched for three snookers to keep his UK Championship hopes alive.

Allen faltered when presented the chance to pot the green from a central position to the bottom right corner, and Lisowski went on to sink it – hoping to catch Allen awkwardly on the brown.

There was a near-17-minute potting exodus for Allen, but he re-found his touch to send the brown into the bottom right pocket and seal the win.

After the match, Allen said: "I didn’t do anything spectacular, just hung in when I was behind. Played better at 3-1 and he missed a couple balls but I was pretty steady. It was good enough.

"He put me in all sorts of trouble a few different times. You have to try and not panic, three snookers is a big ask. Should be able to close it out from there but a bit more nervy than it should’ve been.

"I have a very good mental attitude, I think that wins me a lot of matches I have no real right of winning. If you keep that patience and mentally stay positive it will eventually turn around."

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