World Grand Prix: Zhao Xintong and Zhang Anda meet in an all-Chinese final

Zhang, ranked 23rd in the world, had to fight hard to reach his fourth ranking final.

Zhou, who beat England’s Ali Carter in a play-off to reach the semi-finals, was well placed to win the final frame but ran out of position in blue when he looked set for victory.

Then 28-year-old Zhou put the cue ball into the blue zone during a safety exchange, and Zhang, 34, sealed the win.

“I was nervous in the last frame and I’m still nervous here,” Zhang said.

“My hands are shaking. It’s very exciting. I just hope tomorrow will be a great final.”

Zhang, whose only ranking title came at the international tournament in 2023, will go into Sunday’s final an underdog against world number eight Zhao.

The 28-year-old Chow was searching for the irresistible form that took him to victory over three-time world champion Mark Williams in the Crucible final last May to win the sport’s biggest prize.

The highlight of his season so far came at the Riyadh Season Championship in November when he beat Neil Robertson to take the title.

Zhao went level at 2-2 against Xiao but won the next three frames and ended his opponent’s hopes of a reply by breaking 121 – his first century of the match – to seal victory.