World Open Day 5

Matthew Stevens is the lowest-ranked player through to the semi-
finals, after beating Judd Trump 5-3. Image: World Snooker

Matthew Stevens produced a fantastic performance to secure his place in the semi-final of the World Open with a 5-3 victory over Judd Trump. After having to borrow other player’s cues earlier in the week, Stevens was finally re-united with his own but his opponent had his own problems, finding his tip was damaged when he opened his case so after breaking off, there was a ten minute delay whilst Trump repaired it.

The Bristolian started the match brightly, knocking in an 82 break to go ahead but Stevens won three on the bounce, including breaks of 64 and 70 to lead at the interval. However, Trump pulled it back to 3-3 by winning the next two, including making an break of 85 in frame five. Stevens had an answer though and took a scrappy seventh which lasted 43 minutes before sealing the match with a 79 break in frame eight.

He’ll face Neil Robertson tomorrow after he defeated Mark Selby 5-3 in the other afternoon match. Selby won the opener thanks to a break of 91 but a 53 and 107 from the Australian put him 2-1 ahead. Selby made it all-square at the interval and re-took the lead by knocking in a 71 in frame five. However Robbo hit back and further breaks of 73, 79 and 59 secured the win in a high-quality match of snooker.

After whitewashing Stuart Bingham yesterday, John Higgins continued his ruthless run by doing the same to fans’ favourite Ding Junhui in the first of the evening session matches. He started the match with a tournament high break of 141 in the opener and compiled further breaks of 113, 73 and 56 as he dominated, with his opponent only getting the opportunity to make 40 points in the entire match.

He’ll take on Mark Allen in the second semi-final who recorded a comfortable 5-1 win over Ricky Walden on the other side of the arena. Allen won the opener thanks to a break of 58 but Walden hit back with an 82 to win the next. That would be the end to his challenge though as Allen won the next four, with top breaks of 72 and 62.