Kent’s Barry Hawkins reached the semi-finals of the Players Championship after winning a final-frame decider against Yan Bingtao.

Hawkins, from Ditton near Maidstone, was outscored by Yan, who made three century breaks of 139, 132 and 103, but won the last two frames in a row to improve his head-to-head record against the 2021 Masters champion to 4-0.

Hawkins will next face Ricky Walden, who beat Mark Williams 6-5 on Wednesday.

Ronnie O’Sullivan meets Neil Robertson in a blockbuster clash on Thursday evening, with the winner facing either John Higgins or Jimmy Robertson in the semi-finals.

Yan made a dazzling start with back-to-back breaks of 139 and 103 opening up a 2-0 lead.

But Hawkins hit back with three half-century breaks in a row – 86, 77 and 95 – to swing the match around.

Yan won the sixth frame to level the match and then rattled off a 98 break to move 4-3 ahead.

Yan was presented with an opening in the next frame after Hawkins left a red over the corner pocket, but a few shots later he missed the black and potted the white.

Hawkins couldn’t quite wrap up the frame in one visit as he let Yan return at 60-1 behind, with only 59 points left on the table. However, a long red from Hawkins sealed the frame.

Yan took advantage of a loose safety shot from Hawkins to knock in a brilliant 132 break and move one frame from victory.

Yan made an excellent long red to start the 10th frame but then missed a black to the middle and Hawkins took full advantage with a 126 break.

A wayward attempt at a long red from Yan gave Hawkins an opening in the final frame and he made a fine break to secure the win.