Judd Trump sets up Selt showdown in the Turkish Masters final
Trump is through to his second ranking final in two weeks (Photo by John Walton/PA Images)
Judd Trump will play good friend Matthew Selt in the inaugural Turkish Masters final after a commanding 6-2 victory over Shaun Murphy.
The Ace, who was runner-up to Joe Perry at the Welsh Open, reeled off five successive frames from 2-1 down to book his place in a ranking event showpiece for the second week running.
Earlier in Antalya on Saturday, former Indian Open champion Selt held his nerve to edge out Ding Junhui in a decider at the Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Trump took the opener with 79 as he aimed to end a run of three successive defeats against Murphy, including a 13-11 reverse in their epic World Championship quarter-final last season.
Appearing in his first semi-final of a generally modest campaign, the Magician responded with 99 and 91, but a run of 59 saw his opponent level at the interval.
Chances came and went for both players in the following frame before a contribution of 45 edged Trump’s nose back in front.
Murphy looked good for 3-3 but missed the pink while attempting to develop the final red, enabling the Bristolian to clear to the pink and pull two frames clear.
A break of 58 then saw Trump take the next on the yellow and move to the brink of victory, which he secured with runs of 50 and 81.
While the world number three will appear in his 35th ranking final, it is set to only be the second of Selt’s career.
The Romford cueist made a strong start against Ding; taking two of the opening three frames on the pink and black respectively for a 3-0 lead.
Making his first appearance in a ranking semi-final since winning the 2019 UK Championship, the Dragon stopped the rot with breaks of 97 and 60.
He then produced a brilliant 90 clearance from 56-0 down to level, before completing the turnaround in the next on the blue.
Selt responded by squaring the contest before edging his nose back in front with 59, but Ding hit back with 84 to force a decider.
The tension was evident in both players, but the world number 31 controlled proceedings and eventually prevailed.
WATCH TURKISH MASTERS SNOOKER STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)
Turkish Masters 2022 Results
Saturday March 12
Semi-Finals
11.30am
Matthew Selt 6-5 Ding Junhui
5pm
Judd Trump 6-2 Shaun Murphy