Players Championship

(20-03-2025 23:11 )Joannis Wrote:  Judd 6 Tubbs 0

Even at 5-0, you can never be sure. Should make for a good semi-final now.

John Higgins wins the battle of the granites, making a decisive, granite, 51 break in the deciding frame against Granite Guodong to win 6-5. Higgins plays Judd Trump in the other semi final tomorrow evening.

See above - Xiao looked assured at 5-2 up, and ready for a Trump Test.

Kyren Wilson is into the final after recovering from 1-4 down to beat Neil Robertson 6-5.
The Aussie quickly rattled in runs of 100 and 83 for 2-0 before the World champion responded with a 78. Helped by a 73 Robertson surged into a 4-1 lead before Wilson pegged him back to 4-4 aided by breaks of 116 and 57. A 56 break restored the lead for The Thunder from down under but Wilson superbly held his nerve with an 89 and magnificent closing 134 total clearance to win the match.

Blimey, it's Comeback Week! We'll see if the 2nd semi-final can match the drama of the 1st.

Judd made breaks of 126 and 130 in taking a 4-2 lead over Higgins, which takes his total of centuries for the season to 91. Higgins drew level at 4-4 in his granite style and looked like he would take the lead in the 9th but missed a red when he was on 41 and Judd pounced with a 61 break to put himself 5-4. Runs of 53 and 23 in the 10th gave Judd a 6-4 victory and put him in the final where he faces Kyren Wilson.

I was reminded earlier in the week of I think an ITV discussion on Trump & Wilson building a rivalry for ages, which seemed a thumbs down for Robertson and others. Should be a good final, whoever wins.

Kyren Wilson is the champion after beating Judd Trump 10-9 in a fluctuating tussle. Trump started the better with breaks of 90 and 58 only for Wilson to respond with contributions of 55 and 81.
From 2-2 it was a see-saw battle.
3-2 Trump.
4-3 Wilson.
5-4 Trump.

The Warrior then hit the after burners winning four frames in a row to go 8-5 clear before the Bristolian fought back to reduce the arrears to one at 7-8.
Wilson rolled in a 59 to go within one frame of the title but Trump roared back with runs of 78 and 103 to force a decider.
The World Champion held firm however and got over the line to claim yet another title this season.

When Kyren pinched the 13th, it looked almost all over, so Judd did well to take it to a decider. Kyren's really made the best of being World Champion, the first time a first time champ has done for a very long time.

The draw for the Players Championship in Telford is confirmed. Reigning champion Kyren Wilson won't be defending his title as he is currently ranked 23rd on the 1 year list and only the top 16 remaining after Ronnie pulled out can participate.

Neil Robertson (1) v John Higgins (16)
Chris Wakelin (8) v Xiao Guodong (9)
Judd Trump (5) v Zhou Yuelong (12)
Mark Williams (4) v Barry Hawkins (13)
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Shaun Murphy (3) v Zhang Anda (14)
Zhao Xintong (6) v Elliot Slessor (11)
Wu Yize (7) v Mark Allen (10)
Mark Selby (2) v Jack Lisowski (15)

The tournament is due to start on 17th February.