World Champion Kyren Wilson booked a blockbuster showdown with world number one Judd Trump, after winning his quarter-final clash with Michael Holt 6-3 at the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship.
Wilson finds himself just two wins away from a second Triple Crown title of the year and his career. He sensationally climbed snooker's Everest back in May, when he beat Jack Jones 18-14 in the Crucible final to become World Champion. The first hurdle in Wilson's way this weekend is the most significant adversary of his career so far.
The Warrior has prevailed in his two most recent meetings with 2019 Crucible king Trump. The pair have done battle in two finals this season, at the Xi'an Grand Prix and Northern Ireland Open, winning 10-8 and 9-3 respectively. However, it's Trump who holds the advantage in head-to-head meetings, leading 12-10.
Defeat for Holt ends a fairytale week. The Hitman fell off the tour in 2022, but after two years away, he has returned to the professional ranks this season. Holt came through qualifying and won two matches here at the Barbican to reach what was his first UK Championship semi-final since 1999.
Breaks of 52 and 72 helped Wilson on his way to taking the first three frames this evening, before 64 from Holt in the fourth left him trailing 3-1 at the mid-session interval.
Nottingham's Holt started brightly when play resumed, making 50 before breaking down. That was ruthlessly punished by a 72 break from Wilson, which moved him 4-1 ahead.
Holt continued to battle and took two on the bounce to move within a frame at 4-3, but a run of 67 in the eighth from Wilson left him needing just one more frame to make the semis. He crossed it at the first time of asking, although he agonisingly missed the 12th black off the spot in a break of 89 to fall short during a maximum break attempt. Regardless, he finds himself in the semi-finals of the UK Championship for a second time.
"It takes a lot of resiliance to go and play in amateur club snooker then come and play in one of biggest arenas and best tournaments we have then get to the quarter-finals. Every credit to Michael, it is great to see. I wish him well for the rest of the season," said 32-year-old Wilson.
"I think everyone involved is going to enjoy the semi-final with Judd tomorrow, even my kids can't pick who they want to win! It should be good fun. I think it is a great advertisement for the game, TV and fans who will turn up in their numbers. This venue comes into its own when it goes into the one table setup. I'll really enjoy tomorrow.
"I think Judd is one of those players that wants to prove he is the best in the world. I've got the better of him recently but that will just make him even more hungry to prove a point. He isn't world number one by fluke. He's been by far the most consistent player of the last few years, but I'm trying to hang onto his coattails."
On the other table, 2022 UK Champion Mark Allen notched up five frames on the bounce to beat Jack Lisowski 6-3 and earn a semi-final clash with Barry Hawkins.
The Pistol scored a stunning victory in the final two years ago, rallying from 6-1 down to beat Ding Junhui 10-7.
This evening's game saw him again come from behind. After trailing 3-1, contributions of 103, 55, 69 and 51 helped him to overhaul Lisowski and secure victory.
Allen said: "I didn't think I'd done much wrong at 3-1 down. I just had to stay patient. I was steady and not spectacular. I committed to what I've been doing with Lee Walker on the practice table.
"Barry has beaten me already this season. He is a very good player. He is very consistent on the big stage. I will have to go out there and play like I did against Wu Yize in the last round to stand any chance."