Zhao Xintong could make Selby toil in last-four rumble

Eurosport 2, 7am & 12.30pm Saturday

It's the western titans against the eastern upstarts in the semi-finals of the China Championship with Mark Selby taking on Zhao Xintong following the earlier clash between John Higgins and Lyu Haotian.

Zhao and Lyu were big, three-figure ante-post prices before the Guangzhou world-ranking tournament started - Zhao has been playing some of the best snooker of the Chinese players while Lyu was well backed before the event.

If this was the Crucible, top-class duo Selby and Higgins would be virtually unopposable. But there is hope for outsider backers as the Jester from Leicester and the Wizard of Wishaw may not be performing at their absolute peak in the Far East.

The oddsmakers aren't giving much away but unless Selby turns in an absolute masterclass, which is always possible, the semi-final should last for nine frames or longer.

Recommendation
M Selby v Zhao Xintong over 8.5 frames
1pt 4-7 Betfair, Paddy Power

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