Zhou beats Selby to reach English Open final

China's Zhou Yuelong group up an English Open last against Mark Allen pinch a 6-3 triumph complete two-time champion Mark Selby successful Brentwood.

Zhou surged into a 3-0 lead and contempt immoderate signs of betterment from Selby, whose 71 clearance stole framework four, he kept nan Englishman astatine bay to scope his 4th profession ranking final.

It is simply a return to shape for nan 27-year-old, who had grounded to scope a azygous ranking arena quarter-final this twelvemonth starring up to nan tournament.

It is his first ranking arena last since nan 2022, wherever he mislaid to Allen successful nan last of nan Northern Ireland Open.

"In this athletics you request to beryllium very beardown mentally. When you are successful nan chair aft missing a shot you request affirmative thoughts. This is simply a very large alteration for maine this season," said Zhou.

"If I triumph [the final] I will beryllium very proud of myself. The first time, going from zero to 1 is tough. It isn't easy, but I will springiness my champion and hopefully I tin do it."

Northern Ireland's Allen reached Sunday's last aft edging retired Jak Jones successful a final-frame decider successful a high-scoring last-four tie.

Both men recorded a period break apiece wrong nan first 5 frames, earlier Wales' Jones, who recorded 4 much half-centuries, edged into a 5-3 lead.

Allen stormed backmost pinch scores of 79, 68 and 86, however, to seal a spot successful his first English Open final.