The Ace vs The Magician for international championship glory

Reigning world champion Judd Trump

Judd Trump ( pictured above) powered in 3 centuries on route to a 9-4 victory over 3 times world champion Mark Selby. Selby started the better of the two players building a commanding 3-1 lead at the interval, but in frame 5 the match took an almighty turn. leading the frame by 45 points with 3 reds remaining Selby missed a red to the left centre pocket and the reigning world champion swooped in to clear up and cut the deficit to 3-2 and you just felt at that time that Selby had missed the chance to put Trump under real pressure for the first time this week. Trump thrived on Selby’s blunder in frame five and went on to reel the next 6 frames off in a row to lead 8-3 and despite Selby winning frame 12 it was Judd who dominated frame 13 to claim victory and book his spot in yet another big final. This one will hurt Mark Selby deeply because he let slip control of this match but knowing the battler he is he will no doubt dust himself off and come back fighting! As for Judd his confidence continues to grow and he will be a handful for Shaun Murphy in tomorrow’s final.

Here is the Trump vs Selby semi final for you to enjoy…..

Trump vs Selby international championship semi final
Triple crown winner Shaun Murphy

Former world champion Shaun Murphy (pictured above) produced a magnificent exhibition of long potting and break building on route to a 9-6 victory over his close friend Mark Allen. Murphy raced into a 6-0 lead before Allen fired in breaks of 66 and 117 to end the session at 6-2 and give himself a glimmer of hope in the match. The first 4 frames of the evening session were shared which left Murphy one frame from victory but a break of 94 in frame 13 and a close frame 14 that was won on the black by Allen cut the deficit to 8-6 and all of a sudden the comeback was on. However every time a match involving Shaun Murphy has got close this week he has shown his battling qualities and produced a frame winning contribution and today was no different as a superb break of 66 closed out the match.

Commiserations to Mark Allen who put up a tremendous fight trying to hold on to his international championship title but it will be Shaun Murphy who will face Judd Trump for China’s second biggest prize.

Here is the Murphy vs Allen semi final for you to enjoy….