Top seed Judd Trump through to semifinals of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters as Ronnie O’Sullivan exits after loss to Si Jiahui

Top seed Judd Trump is through to the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in Riyadh (Supplied)
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Updated 06 September 2024
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Top seed Judd Trump through to semifinals of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters as Ronnie O’Sullivan exits after loss to Si Jiahui

  • Shaun Murphy overcame Xiao Guodong and Mark Williams beat Jimmy Robertson in the other quarterfinals

RIYADH: Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has been eliminated from the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters as the tournament enters the semifinals stage on Friday.

Top seed Judd Trump is set to face fellow Englishman Shaun Murphy and Wales’ Mark Williams takes on China’s Si Jiahui at the Green Halls in Riyadh.

Thursday’s quarterfinal matches saw top seed and tournament favorite Trump continue his blistering form, with a 6-3 win against Australia’s Neil Robertson.

The former world champion is now through to the 63rd ranking event semifinal of his career, and many are tipping “The Ace in the Pack’ to go all the way this weekend.

Awaiting the 28-time ranking event winner in the last four is Murphy, with the ex-world champion and current world no. 7 seeing off Xiao Guodong 6-2.

This will now set up a replay of the Shanghai Masters final in July, where Trump emerged victorious against Murphy.

Meanwhile, the second semifinal will see Si continue his quest for a maiden ranking title after the 22-year-old defeated O’Sullivan.

All square at 2-2 heading into the interval, Si established a three-frame lead to move within one of victory at 5-2 before O’Sullivan responded with back-to-back frames to make it 5-4.

But a break of 82 in the 10th frame secured a famous victory for Si, who meets three-time world champion Williams next.

Williams whitewashed the in-form Jimmy Robertson 6-0 in his quarterfinal to move within touching distance of the 42nd ranking event final of his career.


South Africa coach looks to ‘maintain intensity’ against Zimbabwe

Updated 27 sec ago
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South Africa coach looks to ‘maintain intensity’ against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe meanwhile have stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stages
“They’ve done their bit to qualify for the Super Eights, they’ve had a fantastic tournament, our neighbors,” said Prince

NEW DELHI: Unbeaten South Africa look to “maintain discipline and intensity” in their last Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe, batting coach Ashwell Prince said Saturday.
The 2024 runners-up have already secured a semifinal place ahead of their match in New Delhi on Sunday.
The Aiden Markram-led side will take to the pitch in the dead rubber game after scoring convincing wins over hot favorites India and two-time champions West Indies in the Super Eights.
Zimbabwe meanwhile have stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stages.
“I think you’ve got to respect the opposition — they’ve done their bit to qualify for the Super Eights, they’ve had a fantastic tournament, our neighbors,” said Prince.
“From our point of view, we’ve been really sharp and what we want to ensure is that we maintain that discipline and intensity and that we don’t drop off as far as those are concerned.”
South Africa had just one close shave against Afghanistan in a group game they won in a double super over, while all the other victories have been fairly comfortable.
But former South Africa batter Prince said victory is all that matters.
“Obviously winning creates good momentum,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way of doing it or an ideal way — I think it’s nice not to have a lot of close games, but I think close games definitely help in terms of team morale.”
South Africa beat Australia in the World Test Championship final in June 2025 to win their first major International Cricket Council trophy and shrug off their “chokers” tag.
Prince said the triumph has done a world of good for the players.
“Getting over the line in the World Test Championship was a big moment for us... as a cricketing nation and for this group of players,” said Prince.
“And what that creates is a lot of confidence within your teammates and trust that whenever they are going to be called upon and when the moment presents itself, they can step up.”
Markram has led the team from the front with his 264 runs including three half-centuries an an unbeaten 82 in their previous nine-wicket win over the West Indies.
“The phrase that my kids would use is he’s really locked in at the moment in terms of his focus, his batting and in terms of his captaincy,” said Prince.
“And at the same time the rest of the players are enjoying each other’s company.”