Judd Trump, the defending champion of the Wuhan Open, took another step towards reclaiming his title with a 5-2 victory against John Higgins. The match was highly anticipated, with Trump referring to their rivalry as one of the best in snooker. Both players had shown good form leading up to this match, with Trump coming off a solid 5-2 win against Anthony McGill, while Higgins had a 5-3 victory over Zak Surety in the previous round.
The first frame saw Higgins take the lead after a missed black from Trump, showcasing his patience. The second frame was a tactical battle, with both players displaying exquisite safety play. However, a fluke from Trump in that frame turned the tide in his favor.
In the third frame, despite a strong start from Higgins, Trump capitalized on an open table to take the lead with a break of 102 points. Trump then extended his lead to 3-1 with a break of 74. There was a minor delay before the fifth frame as Trump returned with the wrong cue but managed to maintain his advantage.
Higgins fought back with a 126 total clearance to pull one frame back, but Trump quickly sealed the victory with a dominant performance in the final frame. Trump’s win secured his spot in the quarter-finals, where he will continue his quest to reclaim the Wuhan Open crown.
Meanwhile, Shaun Murphy also advanced to the quarter-finals after a thrilling 5-4 victory over Ali Carter. Englishman Jack Lisowski impressed with his win over Wu Yize to secure his spot in the last eight as well. The competition is heating up, and fans can expect more exciting matches as the tournament progresses.