Northern Ireland Open LIVE: Judd Trump thumps Shaun Murphy after Kyren Wilson dumps Mark Williams in quarter-finals

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Welcome to our live coverage of the Northern Ireland Open as we reach the quarter-final stage in Belfast. Judd Trump has beaten Shaun Murphy 5-1 with Louis Heathcote taking on Elliot Slessor. Earlier, Pang Junxu stunned Neil Robertson 5-4 before world champion Kyren Wilson completed a 5-1 win over Mark Williams.

'Cool, calm, composed!' - Pang eliminates Robertson with 'brilliant' century

Video credit: TNT Sports

THANKS FOR JOINING US

That brings an end to our coverage of the quarter-finals here at the Northern Ireland Open.

Join us again tomorrow at 13:00 BST as Pang Junxu takes on world champion Kyren Wilson for a spot in the final.

BetVictor Northern Ireland Open

Hendon: Wilson-Trump rivalry represents bright future in ‘golden age’ of snooker

28/10/2024 at 13:37

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WATCH: TRUMP BRINGS OUT THE EXHIBITION SHOTS

‘Cue ball is getting a bit of a hammering!’ - Trump fires in century to extend lead over Murphy

Video credit: TNT Sports

ON TABLE TWO

Elliot Slessor is leading Louis Heathcote 3-1 with the winner of that one taking on Judd Trump in the semi-final.

TRUMP 5-1 MURPHY

Trump breaks down on the yellow but it doesn't matter. He is well out of sight now and Murphy concedes with the world number one marching on to the semi-final.

It was a really impressive performance from the Ace in the Pack who gave Murphy very little all evening and punished any mistake made by the Magician.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY (70-4)

The reds are all in the open and no colour is safe, so Trump will be cautious not to present the chance for Murphy here.

He pulls off an excellent shot-to-nothing though snicking the red into the right corner pocket with a thin contact. Another red wriggles in and he is surely over the line now.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY (64-4)

Murphy goes close to playing an excellent safety behind the yellow, but he doesn't quite have the pace on it and he's left one over the left corner pocket for Trump, who once again makes no mistake.

He picks off the black that was still hanging over the pocket but just needing one more red, the cue ball lands in no-mans-land and he is forced to play safe. 60 ahead, 67 left on.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY (56-4)

Trump gets up slowly from the red as he leaves himself hampered on the next black and he misses it! But he does cover the pocket with the black given the slow pace he played it at and leaves Murphy nothing.

Murphy will feel he can't catch a break at the moment with both of Trump's misses leaving nothing on in this frame.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY (49-4)

The pink is on the brown spot, but other than that, this is a pretty perfect chance for Trump to take this match now. Murphy, who hasn't potted a ball in the last three frames, can only watch on and hope for the error.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY (23-4)

Another water-tight safety from Murphy gets four points from Trump as he looks to escape off two cushions, but nothing more as Trump nestles into the red on the second attempt.

Murphy looks to have played another decent safety with the cue ball close to the yellow bag but Trump finds a pot into the left corner pocket. He sends the black down into baulk but with it hanging over the green pocket, he can pot it and get back down for the reds.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY (14-0)

Trump really tries to force the red in to get back out for a colour but it rattles the jaws. Perhaps fortuitously for Trump as the red nestles into the pack, snookered from any colour.

There is no pot on for the Magician but he plays telling safety shot tight to the baulk cushion.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY (6-0)

Murphy leaves Trump a long red on from the break but rather surprisingly it rattles the jaws and stays out. No damage done though by Trump.

It's another aggressive safety from Murphy but it's not a good one as he hits the brown and leaves a red on, close to the left corner pocket. Trump puts it away and it wouldn't be surprising if that was Murphy's final shot with Trump perfect on the blue.

ON TABLE TWO

Elliot Slessor has established a 3-1 lead over Louis Heathcote heading into the mid-session interval.

TRUMP 4-1 MURPHY

It's back-to-back centuries for the Ace in the Pack as a break of 125 sees him take a 4-1 lead over Murphy. Just one more frame is required to reach the last four. Some more fabulous exhibition shots on the colours has the crowd well-entertained.

TRUMP 3-1 MURPHY (68-0)

A couple of reds and colours go down and in no time at all Trump has extended his lead to three frames barring snookers.

TRUMP 3-1 MURPHY (49-0)

The black is somewhat tied up but Trump is coping without it with the other colours and reds nice and open following Murphy's aggressive safety shot at the start of the frame.

Trump finds an angle to pot the black and remove the reds surrounding its spot. A great shot that has really opened the frame up now for the world number one.

TRUMP 3-1 MURPHY (7-0)

Trump gets things underway in this fifth frame. Murphy plays an extremely aggressive safety shot which knocks a red over the right corner pocket.

It's really tight as to whether Trump can get through to it but a with touch of side, he does swerve around another red to pot the one over the pocket.

PLAYERS BACK OUT

Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy are back out following the mid-session interval. Can Murphy take the chances he is being presented or will Trump continue to punish the Magician and extend his lead?

EARLIER TODAY

A reminder that Neil Robertson was beaten 5-4 by Chinese player Pang Junxu who produced emphatic breaks of 85, 89 and 129 to earn an incredible comeback win, after falling behind three times.

Meanwhile, Kyren Wilson fired home a 135 break on his way to beating Mark Williams 5-1 in a near-flawless performance. Wilson and Pang will meet in the last four for a place in Sunday’s final.

'Cool, calm, composed!' - Pang eliminates Robertson with 'brilliant' century

Video credit: TNT Sports

ON TABLE TWO

Elliot Slessor continues to lead Louis Heathcote after taking the opening two frames. The winner of that one will meet the victor of Trump and Murphy's clash in the last four.

TRUMP 3-1 MURPHY

After a high break of 35 in the opening three frames for Trump, he produces a fabulous century break of 128 with some exhibition stuff thrown in there to take a 3-1 lead into the interval. Clinical stuff from the defending champion.

TRUMP 2-1 MURPHY (70-0)

A nice canon from Trump opens up any awkward remaining reds and he is close to the finishing line in this fourth frame. The break reaches 70 and it's surely wrapped up now with 67 left on.

TRUMP 2-1 MURPHY (27-0)

Murphy is forced into taking a difficult red that was close to the left cushion but it rattles the jaws and he sees Trump pot his opening red into the right centre.

Trump picks off four of the five loose reds before going into the bunch off the blue. It's a decent split and he lands on a red so this is a great chance for 3-1 now.

TRUMP 2-1 MURPHY (0-0)

Murphy, who is actually ahead on total points in this match, breaks off for this final frame before the interval. He will be desperate to avoid a two-frame deficit given the chances he has blown so far.

ON TABLE TWO

Elliot Slessor has doubled his advantage to lead 2-0 over Louis Heathcote.

WATCH: TRUMP STEALS OPENER

‘The one that got away’ - Trump steals opener against Murphy by a point

Video credit: TNT Sports

TRUMP 2-1 MURPHY

Trump rattles the jaws of the pocket on the yellow but it doesn't matter as he is out of sight now with Murphy giving the nod. Murphy really could have won all three frames but finds himself 2-1 down.

TRUMP 1-1 MURPHY (61-28)

Murphy's safety shot off two cushions doesn't find a red and it presents the chance for Trump who takes a red into the left centre.

A nice canon from The Ace in the Pack makes the last couple of reds pottable and Trump is quickly into snookers required.

TRUMP 1-1 MURPHY (33-28)

The reds are in a decent position for Murphy here with the colours all available. He is forced into playing a deft canon on the reds from the blue though, and it goes wrong.

Murphy plays safe but Trump spots a plant and is in once again. Murphy shakes his head in his seat before being rolled up in behind the brown.

TRUMP 1-1 MURPHY (32-8)

After a couple of high-quality safety shots from either player, Murphy knocks a red over the right corner pocket but his cue ball is good in behind the brown.

Trump manages to go off a couple of cushions to nudge the red but the cue ball finishes just millimetres away from it at angle that Murphy can cut in it to the pocket.

TRUMP 1-1 MURPHY (32-0)

Trump is left with a thin red into the left corner pocket with the cue ball tight to the left cushion and he catches the near jaw. He gets away with it before being presented another chance into the same pocket by a loose safety from Murphy.

A couple of shots into the break though and Trump runs on too far when playing for the blue, leaving him in no man's land between the blue and the baulk colours. He consequently plays safe off the yellow.

TRUMP 1-1 MURPHY (28-0)

A poor misjudgement from Murphy as he looks to roll into the side of the bunch but sees the cue ball roll on past. He gives away the four points but more importantly presents the chance for Trump to take the opening red.

After needing to take an early yellow, Trump looks to be in prime position in and around the black. He misses a kiss on a red now close to the black spot though and it is now somewhat tied up.

IN TONIGHT'S OTHER CLASH

Elliot Slessor has taken the opening frame against Louis Heathcote.

Trump 1-1 Murphy

Murphy breaks down on 66 but Trump nods his head and the Magician has a frame on the board. A great response after the disappointment of having that opening frame stolen.

TRUMP 1-0 MURPHY (11-60)

A couple more reds and pinks and Murphy is past the snookers required mark. It's been an impressive start from the 42-year-old who produced a nice break in the opening frame despite not getting over the line.

TRUMP 1-0 MURPHY (11-45)

The black is tied up once again for the Magician, as it was in the opening frame, so it's all pinks for now but the reds are set up nicely to make a decent contribution without the black.

TRUMP 1-0 MURPHY (11-3)

Murphy plays a telling safety shot while hampered as the green ball covers many of the routes down the table for Trump and it pays off as the following safety shot from the world number one catches the blue.

Murphy knocks in a mid-distance red with the rest and generates a wicked amount of screw on it to land on the yellow.

TRUMP 1-0 MURPHY (11-0)

Trump knocks in a great long red from Murphy's break into the right corner pocket. He needs to go up to baulk for his first few colours and eventually it catches up with him with the break coming to an end on 11 as he fails to land on a red.

ELSEWHERE THIS EVENING

Elliot Slessor and Louis Heathcote's tie remains 0-0 with a fair few reds still in play with the players involved in a safety exchange.

TRUMP 1-0 MURPHY

It may be early on but that one will hurt Murphy as Trump steals this opening frame by a point after Murphy missed a couple of chances on frame ball following an impressive break of 62. A loose safety shot allowed Trump to pick off the final red and clear the colours to take the lead.

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (41-62)

Murphy plays a loose safety shot leaving the final over the left corner pocket and Trump looks set to pounce here with no colour safe.

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (28-62)

Trump drills in a mid-distance pink but catches the black as he looks to come back for the final red so that will have to do for now. He is 34 behind with 35 left on. He plays a weak safety shot though leaving Murphy a shot to nothing but it stays out.

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (21-62)

Trump has better luck with his second attempt into the right centre and he is in once again here as he looks to steal this opening frame. The reds being down towards baulk is offering some insurance for Murphy.

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (8-62)

After picking off the red over the pocket, Trump has a much harder second one into the right centre and it catches the near jaw. He leaves nothing on though so the frame certainly isn't over.

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (0-62)

Murphy plays a tidy shot to canon the red that was tying the black up. He is then able to pot the black to take him a red away from the frame. He loses the cue ball though and over-cuts the crucial red, leaving it over the pocket. Trump couldn't could he?

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (0-44)

With one loose red still available, Murphy has a good angle on the pink to disturb the pack. He doesn't get much luck though as all he is left with is a hampered pot into the left centre, but he makes it look easy, great shot! This a good chance now for a frame-winning contribution.

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (0-29)

With the black tied up, it's blues and pinks to start the break for Murphy. There are a couple of loose reds available as the break reaches 29 before the Magician will have to disturb the bunch.

TRUMP 0-0 MURPHY (0-6)

It's Judd Trump who breaks off for this mouth-watering clash between two former world champions and the match starts off with a lengthy safety exchange.

Murphy brings it to an end with an excellent opening red into the left centre with the cue ball close to the top cushion.

HOW TO WATCH

Stream the Northern Ireland Open and much more top snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+

PLAYERS IN THE ARENA

The players have made their way out to the Waterfront here in Belfast and we are just moments away from the action getting underway.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Trump and Murphy have met 24 times and it's The Ace in the Pack who has the upper hand having won on 16 occasions.

LAST MEETING

Trump and Murphy last came together in the semi-final of the Saudi Arabia Masters with The Ace in the Pack coming out on top.

The Magician managed to force things to a deciding frame after trailing 3-0 early on but the world number one held his nerve to win 6-5 before going on to beat Mark Williams in another deciding frame in the final.

Today's Quarter-finals

Neil Robertson 4-5 Pang Junxu
Mark Williams 1-5 Kyren Wilson

19:00

Judd Trump v Shaun Murphy
Louis Heathcote v Elliot Slessor

EARLIER TODAY

Neil Robertson was beaten 5-4 by Chinese player Pang Junxu who produced emphatic breaks of 85, 89 and 129 to earn an incredible comeback win, after falling behind three times.

Meanwhile, Kyren Wilson fired home a 135 break on his way to beating Mark Williams 5-1 in a near-flawless performance. Wilson and Pang will meet in the last four for a place in Sunday’s final.

‘The swagger of a world champion’ - Wilson makes 'terrific' 135 break against Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

TRUMP LOOKING TO DEFEND CROWN

Judd Trump is on the hunt for his third title of the season and will be looking to book his spot in the semi-final of the Northern Ireland Open as he takes on Shaun Murphy this afternoon. The Ace in the Pack already has the Shanghai and Saudi Arabia Masters under his belt this campaign and is one of the favourites to defend his title here in Belfast.

The world number one has had a relatively trouble-free route to the last eight, dropping just three frames in his ties against Ishpreet Chadha, Matthew Selt and Barry Hawkins. The Magician, who is looking for his first title since the 2023 Championship League, has had a less comfortable ride after needing to come from 3-1 down to beat Stuart Bingham in a deciding frame in the last 16. This followed 4-2 victories over Zhou Yuelong and Jun Jiang.

Trump and Murphy have faced off twice already this season, with The Ace in the Pack running out victor on both occasions in the final of the Shanghai Masters and in the last four of the Saudi Arabia Masters. At stake is a spot in the last four against Louis Heathcote or Elliot Slessor who meet in this evening’s other clash.

HELLO AND WELCOME BACK

Good evening and welcome along to LIVE coverage of the evening session of the quarter-final at the Northern Ireland Open 2024.

Today's schedule - Quarter-finals

Neil Robertson 4-5 Pang Junxu
Mark Williams 1-5 Kyren Wilson

19:00

Judd Trump v Shaun Murphy
Louis Heathcote v Elliot Slessor

'A wonderful shot' - Wilson drills home 'fabulous' long red to close in on semi-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

RESULT: WILLIAMS 1-5 WILSON

Mark offers the handshake. A highest break of only 33 from Williams in the match. Wilson moves 7-0 clear on the career head-to-heads. The world champion returns for the semi-finals against Pang Junxu on Saturday afternoon.

"I don't really look at the draws," said Wilson. "Fantastic result for him today. He's a very solid player, and I'll have to play well to beat him."

WILLIAMS 1-4 WILSON (37-67)

A poor safety shot by Willo. Leaves the red, and that is surely game, set and match to Wilson.

WILLIAMS 1-4 WILSON (37-55)

Brilliant red by Mark to float a pot into the green bag down the table. But he breaks down again on 29 as a black stays out. Could be his last shot of the match. Kyren can't get on a colour from penultimate red. One red left on table.

WILLIAMS 1-4 WILSON (9-46)

Perhaps still life in this match as Kyren speeds to 46 before a tricky cut on a red doesn't drop. Surely now or never for Williams. But looks like never as he misses another mid-range red. Kyren then fails to drop in a red along top cushion.

WILLIAMS 1-4 WILSON (0-17)

Not really been Willo's day today as he sees a red creep back up the table off the break-off shot. And Wilson responds by canning the red to left centre before landing on black. Chance to get this frame and match won here and now.

REPORT: PANG STUNS ROBERTSON

Neil Robertson has been beaten at the Northern Ireland Open, as Chinese player Pang Junxu - who defeated Luca Brecel earlier in the tournament - knocked out another former world champion to move into the semi-finals. Emphatic breaks of 85, 89 and 129 earned him an incredible comeback win, after falling behind three times. He will face either Mark Williams or Kyren Wilson for a place in the final. Read more here:

Robertson crashes out as Pang pulls off famous victory to advance into semi-finals

WILLIAMS 1-3 WILSON (39-72)

Another superb break of 67 from Kyren to the pink. Drained a stunning long red, and never looked back. Chasing one more frame to set up a semi-final with Pang Junxu.

WILLIAMS 1-3 WILSON (39-44)

This looks very promising for Wilson. Nothing really safe on this table. Three reds left up and Wilson bidding to move three up with a possible four to play. Into the lead in frame too.

WILLIAMS 1-3 WILSON (39-5)

Big opportuity for Williams to piece together a telling contribution, but he again falters early on with a cut on red staying out. Wasn't easy, but he has covered the red with the yellow. No matter. Wilson bangs in a stunning long red of his own to opposite top bag. Exceptional.

WILLIAMS 1-3 WILSON (6-5)

Early bout of safety play in this fifth frame before Wilson finally misses a dart at a long red. Gets lucky with double kiss throwing white safe on a side rail.

WILLIAMS 1-3 WILSON (6-5)

Boys return to the action then with Wilson chasing two more frames. Willo's highest break is only 21. Which says it all really about the direction of travel in this match. But Williams given some scope as Wilson misses tricky red to left centre.

WILLIAMS 1-2 WILSON (0-135)

A rapid knock of 135 from Wilson, who is two frames away from securing a semi-final meeting with Pang Junxu on Saturday afternoon in Belfast.

WILLIAMS 1-2 WILSON (0-100)

And in goes the century break from Kyren. That is a splendid effort Wilson. Putting these balls away with ease.

WILLIAMS 1-2 WILSON (0-53)

This is a clinical piece of break-builing by Kyren. Not messing about after the disappointment of losing the third frame that lasted 28 minutes. Looks set for a 3-1 advantage.

WILLIAMS 1-2 WILSON (0-25)

Superb long red by Kyren nestles in pocket, and he manages to hold for the black. Fine chance then to build up a healthy lead in this frame.

WILLIAMS 0-2 WILSON (59-20)

Safety blunder by Wilson, and he leaves red over green pocket for Mark to see out the frame. Back to 2-1 behind. Not vintage stuff, but a fascinating joust. One more frame before the mid-session break.

WILLIAMS 0-2 WILSON (49-20)

A frantic end to this third frame as Wilson escapes from a snooker at the second attempt, but somehow doesn't leave the final red for Williams. Nothing safe on table for whoever gets the next chance.

WILLIAMS 0-2 WILSON (45-20)

The Wilson long game is right on point in this quarter-final. Every time he sees a long red, he seems to respond with the correct potting angle. Final red eludes Wilson at key moment. Which is a relief for Willo.

WILLIAMS 0-2 WILSON (45-1)

Chance then for Williams to make some progress after Kyren sees a long red drop only for the black to stay out to opposite top bag. Willo forced to play safe holding a lead of 38 points. And he prompts the error by Kyren, who hits pink attempting to run safe. The world champion hits the reds the second time.

WILLIAMS 0-2 WILSON (10-0)

Great long red by Willo early in the third frame, but he loses the white seconds later as cue ball ends up in behind blue. Forced to escape from a snooker using the jaw of middle bag. But gets it spot on. Kyren almost drains a red to yellow bag, but just eludes him.

WILLIAMS 0-1 WILSON (16-73)

Wilson misses a tough red along top cushion, but Williams can't punish and Kyren puts away the points he needs for a 2-0 lead in only 21 minutes. Willo being deprived of table time so far.

WILLIAMS 0-1 WILSON (8-55)

Nothing wrong with Wilson's long game out there so far today. Seems to have his eye in, and then some. Despatches another long red, and is back on black with chance to pile on the points. Golden chance to move 2-0 ahead almost in blink of an eye.

WILLIAMS 0-1 WILSON (8-14)

Another cracking red from Wilson hits the back off the pocket from distance. And in goes a lovely brown to right centre, but he misses a tough black off side cushion seconds later to give Williams his first real chance of the day. Only eight before he is forced to run safe.

WILLIAMS 0-0 WILSON (0-72)

A black off the spot stays out on 72, but Willo has seen enough of this opening frame. Excellent start to the match. A 1-0 lead for Kyren in the Belfast.

WILLIAMS 0-0 WILSON (0-48)

Kyren looking to assert himself early on in this opening frame. Looking very sharp as break moves rapidly to 47. Could be a one-visit hit to start this quarter-final.

WILLIAMS 0-0 WILSON (0-11)

Off we go then with this second quarter-final. And off goes Kyren with a terrific long red down table to yellow bag. Wilson is 6-0 clear on the career head-to-heads.

RESULT: ROBERTSON 4-5 pang

Pang only needed one chance in the decider as a brilliant 129 break is more than good enough for a 5-4 victory. He will face Mark Williams or Kyren Wilson in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon. The second quarter-final is coming right up.

ROBERTSON 4-4 pang (0-83)

In goes black from Pang. Off two cushions, and into the middle of the reds. Lands plum on the red, and this is looking like a 5-4 win for Pang. In goes the matchball red. A famous victory for Pang, who is taking out this match in style. Can he finish with a century?

ROBERTSON 4-4 pang (0-42)

Fine recovery pot on a cutback black to continue break before Pang slams in red to left centre. Break moves over 40. This is all looking a bit worrying for Robbo.

ROBERTSON 4-4 pang (0-21)

First chance falls to Pang then in the decider. What can he make off this visit? These balls are not badly placed to attack.

ROBERTSON 4-4 pang (0-0)

An 85 clearance from Pang takes this match to a final frame. All or nothing now. Down to one frame as Robbo misses a long red by some margin.

ROBERTSON 4-3 PANG (40-67)

This is looking very promising for Pang, who is only a few pots away from taking us all the way. Robertson looked all set for victory, but Pang has refused to buckle under pressure. Excellent break-building from Pang to reach the colours. And we are heading all the way.

ROBERTSON 4-3 PANG (40-22)

Four failed attempts by Neil before he hits red at fifth attempt. Doesn't leave an easy red for Pang. So not the worst outcome from that situation. But Robertson catches a red far too thick attempting safety, and leaves an easy red for Pang to launch the counter. Golden chance to take this to a final frame then.

ROBERTSON 4-3 PANG (40-4)

A fortunate kiss for Pang in attempting a safety. White rolls in behind yellow. That is a real bonus for the young Chinese player. Still life in this frame with Robbo forced to escape from snooker.

ROBERTSON 4-3 PANG (40-0)

Robbo can smell a spot in the semi-final at this visit. Trying to get over the line as Pang wonders if he has played his final shot in the match. But he can't land on a red off a pink, and just the safety to follow.

‘Showing his mettle’ – Robertson pounces on Pang miss to steal crucial frame and move ahead

Video credit: TNT Sports

ROBERTSON 4-3 PANG (14-0)

Can Robbo finally see off the Pang challenge without the need for a decider? He gets first poke at these balls in the frame he needs for victory. Right into the pack of reds off the blue, and chance to build up a decent lead here.

ROBERTSON 3-3 PANG (63-17)

And there is no late comeback from Pang as the 52 break from Robbo holds sway. Black stays above board in trying to hole tough cutback before Pang concedes. A 4-3 lead for Robertson.

ROBERTSON 3-3 PANG (63-16)

Pang needing a snooker with two reds left on table otherwise Robbo is going to move one up with a possible two to play.

ROBERTSON 3-3 PANG (40-16)

And he drills in a fabulous pot on a red before opening up the pack to continue the break. Two superb pots on yellow and red, and suddenly a 4-3 lead is within touching distance for the former world champion.

ROBERTSON 3-3 PANG (32-16)

Robbo presented with another chance as Pang slips up with a red to yellow pocket eluding him. Neither player on top form, but Robbo with a thumping good recovery pot on a long yellow.

ROBERTSON 3-3 PANG (11-5)

Another poor miss by Robertson among the balls. Can't believe he has missed that red. Pang being offered plenty of encouragement with match time hitting the two-hour mark.

ROBERTSON 3-3 PANG (6-0)

The winner of this match will face Mark Williams or Kyren Wilson in the semi-finals on Saturday. That one coming right up after this contest concludes. Early chance for Robertson to regain momentum here in the seventh frame.

ROBERTSON 3-2 PANG (19-87)

This match looks to be heading all the way with chances being passed up by both men. This time Robertson forced to suffer as a closing 51 from Pang sees him restore parity at 3-3.

ROBERTSON 3-2 PANG (19-45)

Well, didn't see that coming as Pang somehow misses an easy red on 24 to a middle bag. Glorious chance is spurned as Robertson returns to the baize. Will he punish the Pang blunder? And the answer is no as a red to right centre stays out. A shocking miss really at this level. Tension is mounting.

ROBERTSON 3-2 PANG (0-20)

Pang providing some testing tactical play for Robbo, who twice misses an escape from a snooker off the top cushion before hitting the red at the third time of asking. Pang knocks in another fine long red, and holds for black. What can he make here?

ROBERTSON 3-2 PANG (0-4)

Fine escape from Robertson to get out of a snooker off two cushions from baulk to nestle in below the pack of reds.

ROBERTSON 2-2 PANG (122-1)

Neil showing his finishing class in this frame. Pang being heavily punished for the plant that went wrong. A terrific clearance of 85 from the Aussie, who moves 3-2 ahead in the race to five.

ROBERTSON 2-2 PANG (46-1)

Robbo with another fabulous recovery pot on a blue after Pang narrowly missed a plant on a red from distance. So will this be a winning surge to the line from the Melbourne man?

ROBERTSON 2-2 PANG (37-1)

33 from Robbo this time at the outset of the frame, but a tough cutback attempt on a red doesn't really threaten the pocket. And he sticks up the red for Pang to pot. Just the snooker behind yellow to follow.

ROBERTSON 2-2 PANG (4-0)

Boys back on the baize then for the fifth frame. Difficult to predict how this one is going to unfold from here. Pang certainly not fazed by his opponent in this quarter-final.

ROBERTSON 2-1 PANG (0-87)

No century as red doesn't drop along top cush, but an 87 gets the job done every day of the week. The duo head off for a quick cuppa at the mid-session break.

ROBERTSON 2-1 PANG (0-72)

This has been an exceptional response from Pang. Safety error by Robbo is surely going to cost him the frame. Can he progress to make a century of his own?

ROBERTSON 2-1 PANG (0-42)

Pang defeated Robertson 5-4 in the last 32 of the European Masters two years ago. So he knows how to get the job done in this company. Robertson with a 5-2 win in the last 16 of the same tournament in 2020.

ROBERTSON 2-1 PANG (0-31)

One more frame before the mid-session break, and Pang is offered early hope in the fourth frame of a possible nine as Robbo butchers a safety shot with white somehow ending up in among middle of reds. Brilliant shot by Pang to keep break going with red slammed into the yellow bag at a fair old rate.

ROBERTSON 1-1 PANG (64-52)

Neil with a supreme pot on brown with white near a side cushion before drilling in an exceptional long blue. Pops in the pink, and he leads 2-1. Pang left to ponder what might have been. Robbo suddenly with a 2-1 lead after an hour of play.

ROBERTSON 1-1 PANG (49-52)

Down to the colours then, and Pang has move four points ahead. Has Robbo missed the boat in this frame? Momentum changing quickly. In goes yellow with the rest, but Pang then misses the green attempting dead weight to hold for brown. A huge moment in match.

ROBERTSON 1-1 PANG (46-29)

Down to the final two reds in the third frame with Pang suddenly within striking distance. Only yellow is the major problem ball left on table.

ROBERTSON 1-1 PANG (46-6)

A reprieve for Pang as Robbo breaks down on 42. "Expected him to win the frame there," says 1986 world champion Joe Johnson in the comms box. Decent safety to end his visit to the table. And Pang misses a red trying to run thin off it at the top end of table. Hits it at second time of asking. Robertson then sticks up a red after failing to ram home a long red. Chance then for Pang, who must have feared the worst in this frame.

ROBERTSON 1-1 PANG (23-0)

A terrific long trademark red from Robertson early in this third frame. Didn't touch the sides as it disappears. Clearly has his eye in here. Excellent shot on blue by Robertson to land on a red in nudging open a few more reds. Clearly feeling good about his game in springing open the reds at first opportunity. Obvious chance to move 2-1 to the good at this visit.

ROBERTSON 0-1 PANG (117-8)

A brilliant clearance of 105 from the Aussie to restore parity at 1-1. Had the white ball on a piece on string in that contribution. Battle is joined in this quarter-final. Get the feeling Pang has missed a trick in this match.

ROBERTSON 0-1 PANG (40-8)

Pang paying a heavy price for not taking his chances in this quarter-final. Got away with it in the first frame, but doesn't look like he is going to be so fortunate in the second frame. Robbo with a lovely shot on reds after sinking black. Opens up reds, and this looks destined for 1-1.

ROBERTSON 0-1 PANG (12-8)

Well, would you believe that. Neil bang in among the balls at the business end of table, but somehow misses a black off the spot. Pang rolls in red down table to green bag. Chance passes to the Chinese player, but he runs out of position almost immediately. Just safety to follow.

ROBERTSON 0-1 PANG (0-0)

Robbo chasing a 52nd ranking appearance in a semi-final as he bids to add to his victory at the English Open. But Pang hasn't come here to play the role of a tourist.

ROBERTSON 0-0 PANG (23-73)

Chances coming and going for both men, but Pang finally scrambles over the line with a crunching long red from distance. Lovely long red. Missing pink from short range doesn't cost him. And it is the underdog who strikes first in this quarter-final.

ROBERTSON 0-0 PANG (23-43)

Chance for Robbo to get his cue arm working, but he ends up sticking the white to a pink in trying to split the reds. Just the safety to follow. Leaves a red to left centre for Pang, but he is again high with the attempted pot as object ball comes back out. The Aussie then catches a thin long red too thin. Not sure how he overcut that. Chance then for Pang to put the frame to bed.

WHITE HAPPY WITH BELFAST TRIP

ROBERTSON 0-0 PANG (0-38)

A very vibrant opening here from Pang. Taking all the reds that are in the open before he attacks the pack. But red to left centre doesn't drop, and that concludes his contribution on 38 in the opening frame. A tad disappointing in the end.

ROBERTSON 0-0 PANG (0-6)

Pang gets the action up and running for the day. Robbo goes for a long red straight off the bat. Doesn't drop, and sticks up an easy opener for his opponent. Chance for Pang to get himself moving early on.

WELCOME BACK TO BELFAST

Almost ready to get the balls rolling on another fabulous Friday at a major ranking event. First up is Robbo against Pang in the opening quarter-final before world champion Kyren Wilson faces three-time Crucible winner Mark Williams. The big one tonight sees world No. 1 Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy collide at 7pm while opportunity knocks for the rising talent of Louis Heathcote and Elliot Slessor. Boys on baize at 12pm.