Three of the top four players in the world will compete in the Masters semifinal, with former Masters Champions Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy facing each other in one semi, but it’s in the other where the star power lay with world number one Judd Trump squaring off against world number two Kyren Wilson.
Plenty will be on the line when the top two players in the game meet with Trump looking to add a second leg of snooker’s Triple Crown following his win at the UK Championship. For Wilson he will be looking to win the Masters for the first time and it would offer a fine exclamation mark on a season which saw him crowned as the World Champion for the first time. With the two streets ahead of the rest of the field when it comes to their positions in the rankings, Saturday’s clash could be epic.
Trump and Wilson compete for the right to be named as snooker’s top dog
Since the draw was made for the Masters last year, fans and pundits were hoping that both Trump and Wilson would win their first two matches to set up this mouthwatering encounter.
Starting the week as the bookies favourite thanks to his win at the UK Championship just a few months ago, Trump advanced through the first round when vanquishing Barry Hawkins 6-1.
The two were the finalists at the UK Championship and it’s fair to say that Hawkins caused the world number one with Trump narrowly prevailing 10-8. With many expecting yet another close contest between the two men, Trump set out his stall early by racing into a five frame lead. Proving to be the dominant player right from the off, Hawkins was able to claw one frame back but was simply no match for an inspired Trump.
In the quarterfinals a tricky contest against Ding Junhui lay in store. The Chinese star who has shown flashes of being back to his best this season certainly gave the world number one plenty of questions to answer, but as his been his way through most of this season, Trump answered those questions emphatically and despite being 3-2 down, was able to turn the contest around and in the end recorded a comfortable 6-3 victory.
For Wilson his road to the semifinals has been a little more arduous. The last man to secure his place in the quarters, his nerve was tested by Anda Zhang.
Despite leading 3-1, the world number ten showed that he was up for the fight and was able to level the contest at four frames apiece. With the game ebbing and flowing, it was Wilson who was able to land the crucial ninth frame and he would then go onto secure the match winning frame that he needed.
In the quarterfinals it was a clash of the two most recent World Champions as 2024 champion Wilson was pitted against 2023 winner Luca Brecel.
The Belgian is always a box of tricks and you never really know what you are going to get. However, despite the uncertainty, Wilson was able to lead 4-2 and then 5-3. Standing on the brink of victory, Brecel was able to win a messy ninth frame to ask Wilson the question at 5-4. With the match hanging in the balance, the world number two saved his best for last, composing himself and potting the balls that mattered to take the contest 6-4.
With plenty of fireworks expected between the two, it is Trump who will start as the heavy favourite for victory, but those looking for Wilson to cause the shock can take plenty of heart from the pair’s record this year.
The two giants of the game faced off against each other five times in 2024 with Trump edging the head to head 3-2. Although he is on the wrong side of the recent head to head between the pair, Wilson has beaten Trump on the big stage, defeating the world number one 10-8 in the Grand Prix Final.
You can’t argue that Trump is the form man heading into this encounter but Wilson will certainly have the belief that he can cause the upset. This contest has every chance of being a classic and everybody watching will be severely hoping that it lives up to the hype.
Two former Masters Champions will be hoping to land a second title
For years both Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen have been two of the most consistent players in the game but have often found both their talents and achievements overlooked by the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Selby.
Both head into their semifinal contest knowing exactly what is needed to advance through to a Masters final and the narrative surrounding their semifinal has only ramped up a notch thanks to the dislike that both men have for each other away from the table.
With both being involved in a war of words regarding Allen’s slow playing style, the torch paper has been lit and this contest between the pair has every chance of being fiery.
Murphy has reached this stage thanks to a 6-3 win over Gary Wilson and then a stunning 6-2 demolition of Neil Robertson in the quarterfinals.
Allen has also been just as impressive. Drawn against the tricky and emerging Si Jiahui in the opening round, the world number four showed little signs of nerves as he dismissed his Chinese opponent 6-2.
That victory set up an epic showdown between him and Mark Selby and despite many expecting a close encounter, Allen once again showed what great form he is in as he brushed aside the four time World Champion 6-2.
Allen is playing some of the best snooker of his career and will want to desperately capture a second Masters title. Although he is the clear favourite for victory it is unlikely that he will have things all his own way and with tensions off the table set to play a part this is an encounter that could swing any way.
Andrew Blakely
At 35, Andrew Blakely stands as a seasoned expert in both snooker and its betting intricacies. A dedicated player and analyst, he offers keen insights derived from years in the field. Through his writings, Andrew aspires to guide enthusiasts navigating the captivating world of snooker betting.
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