The Shanghai Masters are already shaping up as a historic tournament, with Judd Trump setting an electric tone in his quarter-final against John Higgins. Trump's run of 515 unanswered points, including three century breaks, left Higgins with no real chance on the table. That’s the kind of performance that makes fans rewind the footage just to see it again.
While Trump's display was clinical, the match between Wu Yize and Shaun Murphy was a different beast entirely. The two met again in a reprise of their World Championship final, and again, it came down to the wire. Murphy had the match in his hands, but Wu seized control in the final moments and sealed victory with a composed black ball.
Home support fuels Wu’s comeback
Wu, playing on home turf, was pushed back on his heels by Murphy, who had clawed back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 5-4 lead. But the roar of the crowd behind Wu turned the tide. After Murphy missed a red ball in the final frame, Wu had an opportunity to clear the table. He took it, ending the match with a textbook black to advance to the semi-finals.
Wu will now face an almost unplayable Trump in the semi-finals. That matchup was all but guaranteed after Trump’s dominant 6-1 win over Higgins. Trump didn’t just beat Higgins—he outplayed him, with a performance that left no room for the 46-year-old to respond.
Zhao Xintong and Kyren Wilson continue battle
The other semi-final will see Zhao Xintong go head-to-head with Kyren Wilson, who is defending his Shanghai Masters title. Wilson earned his spot after a 6-5 victory over Mark Williams, while Zhao made quick work of Neil Robertson with a 6-0 whitewash. Their clash is set for Saturday, with the final set for Sunday.
The first semi-final between Wu Yize and Judd Trump will be played in two sessions: one in the early morning and one at midday. That’s not unusual for the Shanghai Masters, but it does highlight the marathon nature of the event, which continues to attract top-tier players and big crowds.