Debut boy takes down Masters champ Bingham
Chinese whizz-kid Yan Bingtao survived a bout of nerves yesterday to end Stuart Bingham’s valiant Masters title defence.
Debutant Bingtao bravely battled back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to clinch a fine 6-5 triumph in a gripping semi-final showdown at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.
And with victory the 20-year-old set up a mouthwatering clash with either John Higgins, the double Masters champion, or former World Championship semifinalist David Gilbert, in today’s final.
“I didn’t expect to win another deciding frame because I was so nervous, my body was shaking,” admitted Bingtao.
“I was happy I got over the line, but I played really well.
“I made so many excellent long pots. It’s such a big tournament, hopefully I can win the title.”
Bingtao pocketed breaks of 94 and 62 but still trailed by two frames at the interval in his first major semi-final of the season.
Former world champion
Bingham made his experience count with runs of 87 and 47 to put himself in the driving seat.
Bingham made a break of 57 to edge 4-2 ahead, but Bingtao – nicknamed the “Tiger from China” – clawed back in style by winning three frames on the spin with breaks of 100, 63 and 47 to edge within one frame of a famous victory.
Last year’s winner Bingham forced the decider but Bingtao held his nerve under immense pressure to make a match-winning 65 break to stay on course for the £250,000 first prize.
The world No 11 has now won three 6-5 deciding frames matches this week on his memorable run to a maiden Masters final.
And if he were to win the crown he would become the youngest player since record seven-time Masters champion Ronnie O’sullivan won the tournament in 1995.
“That would be a great record to break, but I just want to play well,” stressed Bingtao.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, I’m just going to take the final as just another match.
“I’m already happy enough to get this far.”
Bingtao has pocketed £100,000 for his progress thus far and an additional £15,000 for the high break prize if it is not bettered in the final.
And he revealed: “I will use the money to fulfil my travel plans after the (coronavirus) pandemic is over.
“Lockdown has been so long and that’s my biggest dream. My family are watching back home, all of my family, relatives and girlfriend sent their congratulations after the match. They are really happy for me.”
Bingham admitted: “I’m absolutely devastated, I’m gutted.
“He had me in all sorts of trouble from 4-2 and I left him up a few times.
“I think I missed two balls, but he played really well from then, so hats off to him. But I’m disappointed because I didn’t play well and he did.
“It was looking good at 4-2 even though I wasn’t playing great.
“He missed a few times but didn’t leave me anything and that can be the difference. Unfortunately it just didn’t fall for me in the decider.
“I went for my chance in the decider, I went out fighting, but it wasn’t to be.”