Shamed potter Zhao Xintong booked his spot in the semi-finals of the World Championship - and he will face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals. Talented Zhao, 28, served a 20-month suspension for betting breaches and was aware of a player fixing two matches.

Many observers think the ban, which was dished out by an independent panel as part of the biggest fixing scandal to rock the sport, was too lenient.

But the amateur, who regains his professional status at the end of the season, is now just two wins away from becoming world champion after hammering Chris Wakelin 13-5.

He has won seven matches to get to this stage after flying through four qualifiers.

Asked if he feels like he has got a second chance, the former UK champion said: “Yeah, yeah. I will never do it again. I had a break and I kept practicing snooker every day.

“I think I can do better than before. I’m very happy to be in the semi-final and love the Crucible.

“I played like 22 days till now, played the qualifiers, four matches and now three more, best of 19 and more. I feel a little bit mentally tired.”

Zhao returned on Wednesday needing just one frame to reach a first semi-final on the game's grandest stage. He will meet O'Sullivan in the next round after the Rocket beat Si Jiahui.

Defeated qualifier Wakelin said: “I don't do silly things. I don't make silly mistakes. We're all aware of the dangers when we get on tour.

“You get involved in that sort of thing, you're gonna get punished for it, you learn a hard lesson.

“He is back on tour now, but he missed out on two years in his mid-twenties, which should be the golden stage in his career.

“I've had no doubt that he’ll go on to have several successes down the line now that he is back.

“But, it was really stupid, the whole situation for all those guys that got involved. But in terms of where's Zhao’s going, I think he's got his better days in front of him now.”