International Championship 2023 snooker LIVE – Ronnie O’Sullivan v Zhang Anda in semi-final

That will settle Zhang down! A lovely clearance of 83 means he now trails O’Sullivan by just a single frame.

The Rocket knocks in a long red and has a great chance for 7-4. But he is unfortunate to see a red drop into the left centre after splitting the pack from potting the black. Zhang has a great chance to halve the deficit here.

Zhang is in first, but can only make 13 after missing a red to the top right corner. But O’Sullivan cannot capitalise after missing a brown while attempting to develop the reds off two cushions.

That is now four frames on the spin for the Rocket, who appears to be closing in on the 62nd ranking final of his career.

O’Sullivan makes 54 before missing a red to the top right corner. But he is soon back at the table and pots a red to the left centre to leave Zhang at the snookers required stage. Trailing 62-9 with 43 points remaining, the Chinese needs three snookers, but will play on in search of them.

It just hasn’t happened for Zhang since the restart as he runs out of position early in the break. A loose safety shot then sees O’Sullivan cut a red into the right corner. The Rocket will look to make the most of this chance.

An opportunity for Zhang to hit back after winning the safety battle. A reminder he is appearing in only his second ranking semi-final after recording a quartet of 6-3 victories this week, notably taking out Mark Williams and Ding Junhui along the way.

Zhang is unfortunate to rattle an attempted long red in the jaws of the corner pocket. O’Sullivan ruthlessly pounces with a swift 52 that gives him the lead for the first time today.

Zhang bridges the gap slightly, but a safety battle is now ongoing.

No, he cannot. O’Sullivan runs slightly out of position on 24 and misses a long red to the top right corner. He has left it on for Zhang, who will look to respond.

O’Sullivan is presented with the first opportunity of the frame after Zhang knocks in the black during his attempted safety. Can the Rocket capitalise?

Off we go! The players are introduced into the arena and bump fists before Zhang breaks off in frame nine of this tense semi-final.

A showdown with Tom Ford in Sunday’s showpiece is on offer to today’s winner.

O’Sullivan has won three of the four previous meetings, though Zhang prevailed in their most recent encounter at this season’s English Open – a tournament where he reached the final.

Hello everyone and a very warm welcome to live text coverage of the International Championship semi-final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Zhang Anda.

The players are locked at 4-4 following a closely fought opening session, with the Rocket rallying from 4-2 down to square things up at the close of play.

It is the first to nine frames for a place in Sunday’s final.