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Judd Trump and John Higgins suffer upset defeats in Welsh Open quarter-finals


Judd Trump’s search for a first Welsh Open title goes on (Picture: Getty Images)

The big names tumbled out of the Welsh Open at the quarter-final stage on Friday as Judd Trump and John Higgins were beaten in the evening session by Shaun Murphy and Yan Bingtao respectively.

This came after defending champion Neil Robertson was whitewashed 5-0 by Kyren Wilson in the afternoon, leaving Ronnie O’Sullivan as favourite to win the tournament after he hammered Mark Selby 5-1.

Trump had been favourite to lift the trophy in Cardiff on Sunday night but he was beaten 5-3 by Murphy, with the Magician finding the brilliant form that he has shown flashes of this season.

The world champion made breaks of 126, 100, 66 and 58 but it wasn’t enough to get past the inspired Murphy, who rolled in efforts of 101, 96 and 52 himself.

‘It’s a dead easy equation when you play someone like Judd, you’ve got to play like that to win,’ Murphy told Eurosport.

‘It takes all the doubt or the questions out, you’ve just got to play your best or somewhere near your best and hope he has an off night.’

Shaun Murphy is chasing his first Welsh Open title (Picture: Getty Images)

The 2005 world champion now takes on Yan Bingtao after he beat the five-time champion Higgins 5-2.

The 19-year-old is chasing his second ranking title of the season after winning the Riga Masters in July and looked impressive against the legendary Scot.

Yan raced into a 3-0 lead and held off the potential of a Higgins fight back, making breaks of 100, 66, 61 and 55 over the contest.

The most eye-catching scoreline of the quarter-finals was Wilson’s 5-0 hammering of Robertson, which he described as ‘flattering’.

‘Obviously I’m delighted, it’s a very flattering scoreline, frame one could have gone either way but after I nicked that I pushed on and was really strong,’ said the Warrior.

‘I had a tough draw here, but to be beating the best players in the world and doing it quite well is very pleasing and shows your game is heading in the right direction.

‘It’s been a really good week so far, the crowd’s have been fantastic and I love this venue.’

Wilson now takes on O’Sullivan after the Rocket’s sublime performance over Selby and is confident he can upset the four-time champion.

‘I’m really looking forward to it,’ Kyren continued. ‘It’s a fantastic tournament to do well in and I’ll be doing my utmost to try and go further.’

O’Sullivan is now the only former winner of the Welsh Open left in the tournament as he looks to equal Higgins’ record of five titles.

Wilson and O’Sullivan contest the first semi-final at 1pm before Yan and Murphy play at 7pm.

MORE: Stunning Ronnie O’Sullivan splatters Mark Selby 5-1 in Welsh Open quarter-finals

MORE: Ronnie O’Sullivan dismisses rankings worries ahead of his ‘favourite day of the whole year’





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