Thank you for joining us on what has been a quite remarkable day of snooker.

One semi-final between two familiar faces could not be more tightly poised; the other is already over, as one of the game's greatest players is routed by a rising star.

Catch up on everything you may have missed with Steve Sutcliffe's report from the Crucible, and we'll be back tomorrow for the conclusion of Judd Trump v Mark Williams. Hope to see you there.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Shaun Murphy
2005 world champion on BBC Four

The great thing about the final - whoever comes through - is that both of the finalists will think they can win.

Zhao Xintong is the second man from China to reach the Crucible final, and the first in nine years.

Ding Junhui, in 2016, is the only Chinese player to previously reach the world showpiece - he was beaten 18-14 by Mark Selby.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Four

[Judd Trump and Mark Williams] will look on the other side of the draw and think that the greatest player to ever play the game is out, and well beaten.

Whoever comes through that - they will have watched how well Zhao played and they'll know whoever gets through will be up against a tough opponent, one who's playing so carefree, very relaxed and probably doesn't realise the situation he's in, because he's just absolutely loving it.

Image source, PA Media

There will be plenty of focus on Zhao Xintong in the coming days before his first World Championship final - and on the fact he recently completed a 20-month ban following a match-fixing investigation.

He was one of 10 players from China sanctioned in 2023. While Zhao did not directly throw a match, he accepted charges of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.

As a result of that suspension he lost his place on the World Snooker Tour before returning as an amateur in September last year, and he had to win four qualifying matches this year to earn a Crucible spot.

On Thursday, Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn told the BBC about Zhao: "I think he made a genuine mistake and he's paid the price.

"So the slate's clear, he's back on merit and he's had an unbelievable run through the qualifiers - he absolutely whizzed through it.

"This is a world-class player, make no mistake. I welcome him back on the world stage and I'm sure he'll be a credit to the sport going forward."

Zhao Xintong, speaking to BBC Four after reaching the World Championship final:

"I can't believe that. I need to say thank you to Ronnie because he has helped me a lot before. He's my idol.

"I've just tried to enjoy the Crucible. It's my first time playing on the single table here, it's an amazing time for me and I just want to enjoy it because I don't know how many times I can try to enjoy it here.

"I've played here and sometimes the crowd is helpful for Ronnie and he deserves that, he is a legend here so I needed to control myself."

Asked what he will do on his day off tomorrow: "Have a big lunch!"

Not only has Zhao Xintong beaten one of the best players of all time, he's beaten him with a session to spare.

A rest day before a world final is a rare luxury for a player.

Asked in the BBC studio team what he will do with his unexpected day off tomorrow, Zhao says: "I dunno. Big lunch?"

He's certainly earned a slap-up meal.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, speaking to BBC Four after his semi-final loss to Zhao Xintong:

"Zhao played good, he deserved his victory. I think he's done brilliantly all tournament and all credit to Zhao. He played better than me."

On losing all eight frames this morning: "I've been awful for quite a while, those performances are in there, they've been coming out quite regularly recently."

On the desire to want to play: "I'd like it to be [there], I'd just like to play alright and I just felt like I never gave him a game so that's a bit disappointing."

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Four

Beautiful pictures. Ronnie as gracious as ever, even in defeat.

He's his hero. What a moment.

Ronnie O'Sullivan looked genuinely pleased for Zhao when he shook hands with the victor, giving him a pat on the side too.

Ronnie has been very forthright about the quality of the sport at times, bemoaning the lack of exciting young talent. I think part of him will be delighted that Zhao has won this match in the style he has, playing such attacking and eye-catching snooker - even if the Rocket is the one on the sharp end.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Four

You couldn't tell from the outside, but inside, the adrenaline will be flowing through Zhao's veins.

Ronnie O'Sullivan rises to his feet as Zhao Xintong clears the table, and shakes the hand of this remarkable 28-year-old from China.

Zhao applauds above his head, indicating that the crowd should be giving an ovation to O'Sullivan, before he raises a hand in thanks to all sides of the Crucible.

One of the most comprehensive and impressive wins we have seen in Sheffield for some time.

A tricky red, flush to the bottom cushion - but Zhao makes it look easy.

He adds the black, and that should be that.

Zhao moves ahead in this frame. Four reds remain on the table - pot them all with colours, and Ronnie needs snookers.