Williams topples Trump to soar into Tour Championship semi-finals

Mark Williams soared into the Tour Championship semi-finals following a commanding 10-4 victory over Judd Trump in Manchester on Thursday.

The Welshman claimed only his second win over the Ace in 10 attempts – excluding the Championship League and WST Pro Series – to book a last-four date with Mark Allen.

While Trump’s usual heavy scoring deserted him, Williams’ trademark coolness under pressure proved the difference as he pinched four frames on the pink and black to notch up an impressive win.

The top seed and the last player to get his campaign under way at Manchester Central, Trump established a 51-0 lead in the opening frame, only for his opponent to snatch it on the pink.

Williams doubled his lead with a break of 85, while he recovered from needing a snooker to pinch frame three on the black.

Trump stopped the rot but was unfortunate to go in-off when potting the final red with a 27-point advantage in the fifth; his opponent once again clearing to take it on the black.

The Ace cut the gap to 4-3, but Williams restored breathing space with 71 before a 32 clearance from the final red saw him steal yet another frame on the black for a 7-3 advantage.

The three-time World champion looked good for 8-3 on 42 in the following frame, but he missed the penultimate red and Trump cleared with 30 to stop the rot on the pink.

However, it proved a false dawn for the world number two, with his fellow left-hander controlling the last three frames to get over the line.

Another left-hander awaits Williams in the last four in Allen, who recovered from 6-3 down to defeat Ding Junhui 10-8.

Leading 5-3 overnight, UK Championship and World Open runner-up Ding opened with 71 to extend his advantage at the start of the second session.

However, Allen roared back with the highest break of the tournament courtesy of a marvellous 142 total clearance, as he won the next four frames to lead for the first time since the opener.

Ding stopped the rot with runs of 82 and 67 to regain the lead at 8-7 but, despite recovering a 65-point deficit, the Dragon lost frame 16 on a re-spotted black, which he stuck over the top-right corner.

His opponent did not look back; moving back in front with 56 before a wonderful clearance of 127 sealed the deal.

Gary Wilson was also a 10-8 winner from 8-7 behind; the reigning Scottish and Welsh Open champion denying Zhang Anda to set up a semi-final showdown with Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Locked at 4-4 overnight, Wilson lost a close opening frame of the session, but won the next three for a 7-5 lead.

International Championship winner Zhang responded with two dominant frames, before snatching the 15th on the black with a cool 55 clearance.

Although, the Tyneside Terror came good again when it mattered, as breaks of 94, 85 and 50 saw him overturn his deficit and secure a semi-final spot.

WATCH THE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP STREAMED LIVE

18+ | T&Cs Apply | Geo restrictions may apply | Be Gamble Aware

Tour Championship 2024 | Day Four Results

Thursday, April 4

Quarter-Finals

Judd Trump 4-10 Mark Williams
Zhang Anda 8-10 Gary Wilson
Ding Junhui 8-10 Mark Allen