Super Zhao Xintong dethrones Judd Trump at the German Masters

Jonathan Davies in German Masters 28 January 2022

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Trump was defeated by Maflin in Milton Keynes

Judd Trump’s hopes of capturing a third successive German Masters crown were ended following a 5-1 defeat by an inspired Zhao Xintong in the quarter-finals on Friday.

The two-time champion had won each of his last 17 matches in the event, while also receiving a walkover following the withdrawal of Gao Yang ahead of the opening round of this year’s tournament.

However, there will be no hat-trick at the Tempodrom for the Ace, who was comprehensively beaten by the reigning UK champion.

Zhao came racing out of the blocks with a couple of breaks of 57, while a fortuitous fluke on the penultimate red in frame three saw him open a commanding 3-0 lead.

Trump stopped the rot by taking a closely fought fourth on the pink to give him a lifeline.

The Ace reeled off five frames without reply against Zhou Yuelong in the previous round, but Zhou’s compatriot was not to be denied.

Indeed, the Cyclone regained control with a break of 58, before runs of 52 and 84 secured a third ranking event semi-final – and first at the German Masters.

He will now play Ricky Walden, who is also set to appear in the last four of this tournament for the first time.

The three-time ranking event winner hit five half-centuries as he defeated 2019 champion Kyren Wilson by the same scoreline.

Meanwhile, Mark Allen also produced five breaks over 50 on the way to whitewashing first-time ranking quarter-finalist Fan Zhengyi.

The Pistol, who had never been past the last 16 prior to this week, won nine out of 10 frames from 2-1 down against good friend Shaun Murphy earlier in the day to advance.

The Northern Ireland Open champion will take on Yan Bingtao, who produced two inspired fightbacks to overcome Mark Selby and Ryan Day in deciding frames.

The former Masters champion recovered from 4-2 down against Selby – denying the Jester a place at next month’s Players Championship – before overturning a 61-0 deficit at 4-3 behind to stun Day in the quarter-finals.

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