Mark Selby is four frames away from reaching his third Shanghai Masters final, after establishing a 6-3 lead over Shaun Murphy in their last four clash.
The Jester from Leicester captured the title here in 2011, when he defeated Mark Williams 10-9 in the final. He was runner-up to Ding Junhui in 2016.
Close friends Selby and Murphy have been battling each other on the baize from the junior ranks right the way through to the World Championship final in 2021. Selby prevailed 18-15 on that occasion and leads the head-to-head standings 17-14.
The first four frames this afternoon were shared, with Selby firing in a sublime 136 on the way to a 2-2 scoreline at the mid-session. When play resumed, further breaks of 53, 72 and 53 helped Selby to four on the bounce and a 6-2 lead. Murphy showed his steel in the last of the session, making a crucial break of 72 to stay in touch and end 6-3 behind.
They return to play the best of 19 encounter to a conclusion at 7:30pm local time.