Jordan Brown keeps title hopes alive in China

Antrim man Jordan Brown battled into the semi-finals of the International Championship on Thursday with a 6-5 defeat of Stephen Maguire in Tianjin.

Brown is targeting just a second career ranking title having won the BetVictor Welsh Open in 2021 thanks to a sensational victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.

He stayed on track in China after breaks of 78, 102 and 69 helped him into a 5-2 lead.

Maguire made 94 in the next to reduce the deficit, with Brown on the verge of victory before missing a straightforward red on a break of 59.

Maguire took advantage with a break of 77 and levelled the scores with a century in frame 10, but Brown held his nerve to make a half century in the decider and seal the win.

Brown will face Tom Ford - who got past Barry Hawkins - in the last four.

Hawkins, who recovered from 5-1 down to beat Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 6-5 in the last 16, threatened a similar fightback when he came from 4-1 behind to get back on level terms, only for Ford to take the last two frames for a 6-4 success.

O'Sullivan booked his place in the semis with a hard-fought victory over Ali Carter.

O'Sullivan was well below his fluent best and looked concerned that he had damaged his cue after banging it against the side of the table as his frustration threatened to boil over.

However, the seven-time world champion, who managed a highest break of just 60 in an error-strewn contest, quickly regained his composure and took the last two frames to seal a 6-4 victory.

O'Sullivan will face China's Zhang Anda in the semi-finals after the English Open finalist defeated compatriot Ding Junhui 6-3 with the aid of breaks of 124, 82, 76, 65 and 60.

Additional reporting: PA