What an absolute treat that was to watch. I cannot wait to see Yan and Ding eventually duke it out in a major final. That'll be a great match.
Delighted for Yan as well, he's just such a lovely bloke. And (in Mandarin) he speaks like a wide-eyed kid who almost doesn't believe where he is on the world snooker stage! Fantastic stuff.
Yan Bingtao will win a World Championship before Ding Junhui mark my words
I don't think Ding will win one now, whereas Bingtao probably will. Ding has greater cue ball control but Yan has a fantastic temperament. If he improves his breakbuilding and scoring then he will win plenty more tournaments.
Thoroughly enjoyed that! Watching Yan's approach - willingness to take on shots others wouldn't and some great shots too. Most exciting player to watch. Always enjoy watching Ronnie...but I think Yan is the new one to watch.
Well happy with this, i didn't watch alot of the final but a great win, i caught the last few frames but footy on all day.
Yan does seem great potential , would be very surprised even more so than before if he doesn't become world champ its a matter of when rather than if, still would like Ding to win it but maybe Yans win here might push him on?
Class temperament, was really awkward watching his interview after on Eurosport and ROS trying to talk to him when he hasn't really got a good grasp of English just yet. What a talent!
Comments
Semi-finals
Saturday, 16 January
Best of 11 frames
13:15 - Stuart Bingham (Eng) v Yan Bingtao (Chn)
19:00 - David Gilbert (Eng) v John Higgins (Sco)
Coverage
Live - 13:15-16:30 - BBC One
Live - 16:30-17:30 & 19:00-22:20 - BBC Two
Live - Uninterrupted - 13:15-17:30 BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
Masters Snooker Extra - 00:05-02:05 - BBC Two
Eurosport - 13.00 & 18.45
Semi Final
Result
Yan Bingtao 6-5 Stuart Bingham
At 20 years of age and on his Masters debut Yan Bingtao has made the final and will play the winner of Gilbert v Higgins in tomorrows final
Yan Bingtao is the first player born in 2000 to reach The Masters final
Which isn't to surprising, but only one player born in the 90s has reached The Masters final and thats Kyren Wilson
You better not have jinxed the boy now 🤣🤣
Semi Final
Result
John Higgins 6-4 Dave Gilbert
Higgins first made The Masters final in 1995, 5 years before Bingtao was born
Final
Sunday, 17 January
Best of 19 frames
13:00 & 19:00 - Yan Bingtao (Chn) v John Higgins (Sco)
Coverage
Live - 13:00-17:15 - BBC Two
Live - 19:00-22:30 - BBC Two
Eurosport - 12.45 & 18.45
Not even 21 and is pushing John Higgins in The Masters final.
He is going to be in finals and winning tournaments for years to come
Yan Bingtao 10-8 John Higgins
*at some point, not necessarily this year but his odds will have certainly been slashed.
Delighted for Yan as well, he's just such a lovely bloke. And (in Mandarin) he speaks like a wide-eyed kid who almost doesn't believe where he is on the world snooker stage! Fantastic stuff.
Yan does seem great potential , would be very surprised even more so than before if he doesn't become world champ its a matter of when rather than if, still would like Ding to win it but maybe Yans win here might push him on?
Class temperament, was really awkward watching his interview after on Eurosport and ROS trying to talk to him when he hasn't really got a good grasp of English just yet. What a talent!