Judd Trump booked his place in the Masters semi-finals with a 6-2 win over Ronnie O’Sullivan. The youngster raced into a 4-0 lead at the interval, making a 140 in the process, but then the Rocket exploded into life with the tournament’s highest break of 141. O’Sullivan found himself 5-2 behind, however, and this flourish was too little too late.
The Rocket admitted Trump “played better on the day”, adding “Judd scored heavily” and “put in some good breaks under pressure”. Meanwhile the 22-year-old was full of the precocity of youth, saying: “I came into the tournament full of confidence thinking I can win it.” Trump is now the man for the remaining players to beat.
Higgins breaks dogged Dott
This all-Scotland clash pitted former practice partners against each other. John Higgins bested the Pocket Dynamo who succumbed to his Achilles heel of not scoring heavily enough. Graeme Dott was level with his compatriot at the break, as the pair shared the opening four frames, but the Wizard of Wishaw’s superior break building paid dividends with four knocks over sixty in the next five to run out a 6-3 winner.
Robertson wins left-handers clash
The Thunder from Down Under defeated fellow southpaw Mark Williams in the last eight 6-4. A close and tactical opening frame went to Neil Robertson, but the Welshman responded with a 78, though the Australian led at the interval 3-1 off the back of a 95 break in the fourth.
Despite a damaged cue tip Robertson came through making a century break en route to victory. Williams always kept himself within touching distance of the Aussie, but was never in front in the match. Mistakes cost the Welshman dearly here. Robertson had made it to the quarters of the Masters three times prior to this and failed to win.
Murphy upsets the Jester from Leicester
Perhaps this was the only result that was surprising as World Number One Mark Selby went down 6-2 to Shaun Murphy, despite a gallant attempt at a maximum along the way. The fifteenth and final red proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for Selby in his quest for a 147. By that stage however he was 5-1 down on an evening where he produced far from his best snooker.
Rotherham’s Murphy on the other hand defied the rankings to take a 3-1 advantage into the break which he duly extended with knocks of 72 and 65. Selby’s missed yellow put him on the brink of defeat before his 112, but his opponent got over the line in frame eight at the second attempt.
Semi-final draw
Trump faces Robertson in the first of the last four clashes on Saturday which will be followed by Higgins taking on Murphy. The youngster leads the bookies’ market on who will lift the Masters title at 6/4 with the Wizard of Wishaw second favourite at 9/4. It’s those two who are tipped to contest the final leaving Robertson and Murphy 4/1 outsiders at Alexandra Palace.
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