Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan roared into the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield after securing impressive victories in their respective quarter-finals.
Trump surged into the last four with a dominant 13-8 win over Luca Brecel in a match that showcased his high-quality snooker. After a tightly contested opening session, which saw the match level at 8-8, Trump seized control by winning five consecutive frames in the final session. His performance included two centuries, taking his season’s total of century breaks to 104, surpassing Neil Robertson’s long-standing record. Trump, however, was modest about the record, stating that he was more focused on making crucial breaks at the right moments and putting pressure on his opponent. He will now face Mark Williams in the semi-finals, after Williams triumphed in a dramatic 13-12 victory over John Higgins in another epic encounter that went to the final black.
O’Sullivan, aiming for an eighth World Championship title, faced a more difficult test against Si Jiahui. The 22-year-old Chinese player, who had made a surprise semi-final appearance two years ago, mounted a spirited comeback after trailing 10-6. O’Sullivan, however, held firm, despite some uncharacteristic errors creeping into his game. Si’s fightback included winning three out of four frames in the final session to close the gap to 11-9. Si had a chance to make it even closer, but a missed yellow proved costly, and O’Sullivan took control, eventually winning 13-9. With a break of 76 in the final frame, O’Sullivan secured his place in the semi-finals, where he will meet Zhao Xintong.
Mark Williams’ victory over John Higgins was one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament so far. The two veterans, who have collectively won seven world titles, were locked in a tense battle throughout. Williams trailed 5-1 early on but mounted a strong recovery, taking the lead 10-8 after a series of solid breaks. Higgins, not to be outdone, fought back with breaks of 94, 114, and 67 to level the match at 12-12. In the deciding frame, both players struggled for position, but Williams managed to edge ahead after a tense safety battle. Higgins had a chance to win but missed a critical blue, allowing Williams to clinch victory with a final 74-69 scoreline.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong secured his place in the semi-finals for the first time in his career, sealing a dominant 13-5 victory over Chris Wakelin. Zhao, who had been banned for 20 months due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, returned to snooker as an amateur after coming through four rounds of qualifying. He has looked in excellent form throughout the tournament and showed no signs of slowing down as he dispatched Wakelin with ease.
With the semi-finals now set, Judd Trump will face Mark Williams in what promises to be an exciting clash between two of the sport’s most dynamic players, while O’Sullivan will meet Zhao Xintong in a highly anticipated match between the veteran and the rising star. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
