Zhang Anda produced an excellent potting show to defeat world champion Zhao Xintong 6-2 as he superior to the final eight on the UK Championship in York.

Having misplaced the opening body of the all-Chinese language affair, Zhang hit back-to-back centuries as the primary 4 frames had been shared.

However Zhao, who was responsible of lacking a number of routine pots, was closely punished by his compatriot when play resumed after the interval.

Zhang was close to faultless among the many balls and reeled off their subsequent three frames with breaks of 87, 69 and 73 earlier than rounding off his victory in a nervy eighth body.

“I performed so properly, there have been three frames the place I scored closely and Xintong didn’t play properly. It was my day,” Zhang informed BBC Sport.

“Within the first session I made two centuries and it was excellent stuff from me. Within the fourth body I missed some easy pictures however I informed myself to neglect it, I’m enjoying properly, I can beat him.”

The 33-year-old, who has now reached three consecutive quarter-finals on the match, will face both John Higgins or Shaun Murphy subsequent.

Though Zhang had defeated Zhao of their solely earlier aggressive assembly a decade in the past, he was nonetheless thought to be the skin likelihood going into this contest.

Whereas each apply on the identical Sheffield academy, their careers have run on completely different paths.

Zhang has slipped out of the highest 16 on this planet rankings, whereas Zhao, who introduced himself on a worldwide stage by successful the UK title in 2021, has gained “megastar” standing since changing into the primary participant from China to triumph on the Crucible in Might.

It was a feat all of the extra outstanding given he was considered one of 10 Chinese language gamers sanctioned in 2023 following an investigation into match-fixing and served a 20-month ban.