Zhao sweeps Robertson aside in Wuhan to top world rankings

Zhao Xintong will become the new world number one after sweeping Neil Robertson aside 5-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open.

The 2025 world champion will be the second player from China to achieve the feat, with Judd Trump's two-year reign at the top of the rankings coming to an end with his 5-1 defeat to Chang Bingyu in the last eight.

Zhao's compatriot Ding Junhui enjoyed two brief spells as the top-ranked player between December 2014 and February 2015.

"At the moment, I probably haven't really had the chance to fully take it in or savour it. I think after tomorrow, I'll probably start to feel it more," Zhao said.

"Becoming world number one was definitely one of my dreams when I was growing up.

"Even now, after winning some ranking titles and becoming more settled mentally, I feel like being world number one isn't necessarily my ultimate goal.

"But for a professional player, it's certainly a very rare and special honour."

The 29-year-old, who has won six ranking events, made breaks of 106, 91, 113 and 54 to advance comfortably past Australia's Robertson.

He will now face Xiao Guodong, who defeated Mark Williams 5-3, to remain on course to win the tournament for a third successive year.

Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan also moved into the last four with a 5-3 success against fellow Englishman Mark Selby.

Having lost the first two frames of their best-of-nine encounter, O'Sullivan reeled off five of the next six.

'The Rocket' compiled breaks of 87, 96, 72 and an 80 in a 147 attempt in the seventh frame before sealing his win with a run of 129.

The 50-year-old will now meet Chang, 24, in the last four.

"You have Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize, but this kid is up with them," O'Sullivan said.

"He was storming through the season and I said to my mate I fancied him to win the event in Taiyuan. He got beat by Neil Robertson but anyone can lose a match.

"He's here in the semi-finals and maybe he is going to win a trophy. You probably have to say he is favourite to win the tournament."