Thepchaiya Un-Nooh came from 4-1 and 5-3 down to beat Kyren Wilson 6-5 and reach the final of the Zhiyuan World Open in Yushan.

Wilson had several match-winning chances in the closing stages but couldn’t take advantage and was beaten to the finish line by Thailand’s 34-year-old Un-Nooh, who will face Judd Trump or John Higgins in Sunday’s final.

Un-Nooh’s only previous ranking final was the one-frame Shoot-Out earlier this year when he beat Michael Holt. He is also a former Six Red World Champion, but tomorrow’s match will be the biggest of his career by far. The world number 37 is already guaranteed his best ever payday of £75,000, and that will be doubled if he takes the trophy.

In a surprisingly scrappy match between two attacking players, world number nine Wilson took the first three frames despite a top break of just 44. Un-Nooh pulled one back then Wilson nicked the fifth by clearing the colors to go 4-1 up.

Kettering’s Wilson led 42-0 in the next only for Un-Nooh to make a 74 clearance.  The next two were shared to leave the score at 5-3, then Un-Nooh took the ninth by clearing the colors, and made a 67 in winning the tenth for 5-5.

Three-time ranking event winner Wilson had first clear chance in the decider and made 38 before missing a straightforward red. Un-Nooh replied with 61 to give himself the advantage. It came down to the colors and Wilson took the yellow but then missed the green to a top corner, trying to screw back for a position. Un-Nooh cleared from green to pink for victory.

“I feel great,” said Un-Nooh. “Before the match, I knew I was the under-dog because Kyren is better than me. He’s a big name and he’s in the top ten in the world. But he missed a lot of balls today. When I was 4-1 down my head was gone, but I was still concentrating frame by frame. I did well.

“This is very different to the Shoot-Out, that event is only one frame and depends on destiny. This event is long frames and big money. Playing in China is similar to playing in Thailand for me, I am happy here.

“If I play Judd Trump tomorrow the game will be quick, if it’s John Higgins it will be slower. Let’s see what happens. I prefer to play Judd and many Thai people want me to play him because he beat me at the Crucible (10-9 in the first round). It would be a good game.

“I won’t sleep tonight and I can’t eat. Before the game today I couldn’t eat. I have lost weight this week. When I get to the semis and the final it’s exciting and I can only sleep and eat a little bit.”

Wilson said: “I’m gutted about my performance, I was so poor. Thepchaiya was as well – by his very good standards – so I’m gutted I couldn’t make the most of that. He will have to sharpen up and play a lot better to have any chance in the final. He’s a lovely guy and I wish him all the best. Maybe I peaked a bit too early at this event. I tried my heart out today but it was one of my worst ever performances.”

Source: World Snooker