Snooker results: Luca Brecel fired in four century breaks to beat Kyren Wilson and reach the UK Championship final

The 26-year-old had never previously gone beyond the quarter-final of any Triple Crown event before but is now the first Belgian to achieve the feat with the help of four centuries and a pot success rate of 96%.

There was very little Ronnie O'Sullivan's conqueror could do as every opportunity that came Brecel's way, he took it in majestic fashion.

Brecel, bidding to become the first player from continental Europe to win a Triple Crown title, will now meet Zhao Xintong in Sunday's final at the Barbican after the Chinese sensation later thrashed Barry Hawkins 6-1.

The Bullet opened the match a superb century of 130 and although Wilson hit back with one of 121, he moved 2-1 up with another fine break of 105.

Wilson took the next two frames to edge ahead for the first and only time in the match before Brecel rattled off the next three with breaks of 102, 97 and 80.

His opponent kept his hopes alive with the 10th 50+ break of the match (83) but Brecel completed the job in style with another century of 112.

The two-time ranking event winner, who was the youngest player to reach the World Championship at the Crucible in 2012, revealed he had been reduced to panic earlier this week when he almost missed his fourth-round clash with Anthony Hamilton due to being stuck in the toilet of his rented flat.

Brecel said: “I was in the apartment and I just locked myself out – I locked the door (of the toilet). I didn’t know how to open it and I thought, oh God, I’m locked in.

“I had to play Anthony Hamilton so I was a bit worried. I was in there for 10 minutes. It felt like two hours.

“I was worried not to be able to play Hamilton. It was 20 minutes past 12 and it was a 10-minute walk to the venue. I had to walk quickly. But I beat him 6-1 anyway so I could have stayed there for longer.”

Sheffield-based Zhao is now into his first ranking final after thrashing Hawkins 6-1 in the second semi-final.

The world number 26 was labelled "our Federer" by Ronnie O'Sullivan earlier in the tournament and now he had a chance of living up to his rich potential at the age of 24 by landing one of the most lucrative titles in the sport.

Zhao fired in six breaks of 100, 81, 78 (x3) and 74 to blow away his experienced opponent, who was appearing in his 27th ranking semi-final.

Along with the £200,000 winner’s cheque, the pair have an additional incentive on Sunday, with the winner guaranteeing their place in the Masters at Alexandra Palace in January.

“It’s my first time in the final and it’s very important for me to try my best,” said Zhao, who will bid to become the first Chinese winner of the tournament since three-time champion Ding Junhui.

“I think I played very well and it was a great match for me. I’m pleased to be playing Luca in the final because we are both young and we have a similar style. I think we can make a beautiful match.”

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