Kyren Wilson is just one win away from winning his second major ranking event of his career after beating Mark Allen in an enthralling World Open semi-final earlier today.

Kyren Wilson. Picture by Monique Limbos

Two years ago Kettering’s Wilson achieved his major breakthrough when he won the Shanghai Masters – two years later the world number 13 is proving why he has become one of the world’s best after coming through an epic final-frame battle in Yushan to beat the Ulsterman.

Wilson, who has just become a new dad, will face either Luca Brecel or home favourite Ding Junhui in Sunday’s showdown final which will see the winner earn a huge £150,000.

But Wilson will thank his lucky stars as the see-sawing semi-final final could have easily gone Allen’s way if it wasn’t for a crucial miss on the blue in the final frame decider.

Wilson, considered one of snooker’s hottest young prospects, piled in three centuries to beat Mark Williams in the quarter-finals and made the better start taking a 2-1 lead in the semi-final.

Allen, winner of the World Open on two occasions, struck back winning the next two frames before Wilson went on to take a 4-3 lead.

A 59 break from Allen levelled the scores before Wilson moved into the driving seat winning frame nine for a 5-4 lead – just one away from the winning post.

Mark Allen. Picture by Monique Limbos

And Wilson looked to have sealed the deal in the next frame but an unusual miss on a simple red ended a break on 32 and saw Allen force a decider with a clearance of 94.

Despite a poor break off, Wilson managed to take control early doors in the decider with a lead of 52 points but a terrific red in the middle got Allen back into the frame.

But the match was decided when Allen missed the blue for the middle pocket as he attempted to knock the final red into a potable position at the same time. The miss allowed Wilson to leave Allen needing snookers before he clinched the match by sinking the final blue.