World number one Judd Trump secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over Chris Wakelin, advancing to the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open and marking his 14th consecutive win against Wakelin. Trump’s success in China this season has been remarkable, with 14 wins in 15 matches across Chinese events. His only defeat came at the Xi'an Grand Prix final against Kyren Wilson, while he also clinched the Shanghai Masters title. Now, Trump is on track for a potential 30th ranking title and his third championship of the season, having already triumphed at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
The final frame against Wakelin saw high drama as Trump initially surged ahead with a 51-0 lead, but Wakelin responded with a 36-point break before faltering on a baulk color and missing an ideal position on the second-to-last red. The frame ultimately came down to the colors, where Wakelin missed a critical shot on the brown, allowing Trump to step in, clear the table, and clinch a tense victory. Reflecting on the final moments, Trump credited his shot on the brown ball, which helped him position the pink for a safe clearance.
Earlier in the match, Wakelin held a 3-1 lead before Trump clawed back to level at 3-3. Though Wakelin claimed the seventh frame, a composed 63-point break by Trump forced a deciding frame, which the Englishman secured to extend his dominance over Wakelin. Trump will now face China’s rising star, Si Jiahui, in the semi-finals, praising Si’s rapid ascent in the snooker rankings and noting his potential as one of the most promising young players on the circuit.
Si Jiahui, meanwhile, secured his place in the semi-finals after a hard-fought 5-3 win over Zhang Anda. The 22-year-old impressed with breaks of 83, 85, and 50 to dispatch his Chinese compatriot, setting up a rematch of this year’s German Masters final against Trump. Speaking after the victory, Si admitted to feeling the pressure but emphasized his focus on playing his own game, expressing confidence in his ability to compete with the top-ranked players.
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