Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

So far it's been a good response from Mark Allen.

The break is 42 and counting, with three or four loose reds still pottable. A frame-winning chance for the man from Northern Ireland.

Wu Yize's latest break ends on 16 and gives Mark Allen a chance of a counter-punch.

He levels the score at 16-16 with an excellent red from distance up into the green pocket.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

I'm not saying it's ominous but that's a champion in the making - I'm not saying this year guaranteed, and Mark Allen will have something to say in this match.

But when you see someone coming through the ranks and make what looks like the most nervous situation into another game down the club, you know maybe we're in the presence of a great future champion.

Misses of long reds by both players early in frame two.

Wu Yize's was the easier of the two, but he didn't leave anything easy. Mark Allen did, and so off Wu goes in search of another frame-winning break.

Definitely a fair chance of that, Jack. Zhao just needs the Masters to complete a career Triple Crown and while Wu is still waiting for his first Triple Crown title, his early career suggests he'll compete for plenty over the next few years.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

When he learns to conquer his nerves, he'll be a player!

We just told everybody how difficult it is to play in the arena and then he does that.

That's some way to start - no century, but a break of 77 by Wu Yize earns him the opening frame.

That's the frame wrapped up - will Wu Yize start with a century?

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

The best way to settle into a big semi-final like this is to start off on the front foot with a nice break. It calms the nerves.

Image source, Getty Images

This is a confident start from Wu Yize, he's striking the ball well and finding the heart of the pocket.

He's up to a break of 47 already and a few pots away from clinching the first frame.

After Mark Allen misses a tough red to the right middle, Wu Yize doubles a red into the left middle and cuts in a brilliant black to the corner to get a break going.

A decent chance to build some confidence and some momentum.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

What an atmosphere and what a reception for both players.

How do you control the nerves after that welcome?

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

It's not a surprise that Wu Yize is in the semi-final - he's already ranked 10 in the world, probably higher after this.

But it's a meteoric rise into the top 16 for someone so young, and he's all-out attack when needed, but he has a clever brain on him as well so he's a danger to anybody.

There was a standing ovation for John Higgins and Shaun Murphy earlier today before the first semi-final and the Crucible gives the same welcome to Mark Allen and Wu Yize.

There are shouts of "Wuuuuuuu" from the crowd too as the 10th seed from China enters the arena.

Eight frames to be played tonight.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Sometimes it's like trying to hold a tiger by the tail because Wu Yize's long game is tremendous. He's very dangerous, but Mark Allen has the experience obviously.

This is a fascinating session coming up.

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Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

I found that by this time of the event you really are in the zone, and I felt that I was flourishing when we got to this stage, but of course it depends on what your opponent can do on the table as well.

Image source, PA Media

Mark Allen has a snooker CV that most players could only dream of; he is a Masters champion, a UK Championship winner, has had a spell as world number one and made 147 breaks at all three Triple Crown events.

A world title is missing, though, as is an appearance in a Crucible final.

The 40-year-old from Northern Ireland reached the semis in 2009 and 2023 but lost to John Higgins and Mark Selby respectively.

Will this be his year?

Image source, PA Media

Many of the pundits believe Wu Yize has the potential to win at least one world title.

The 22-year-old was a World Under-21 champion at the age of 14 and he has already won a ranking title - the International Championship earlier this season.

He's now inside the world's top 10 and is undoubtedly a player to watch over the next few years.