Snooker Masters report! Two semifinalists decided, Zhao Xintong narrowly loses 5-6 to Higgins, Trump wins decisively 6-2

On January 16th Beijing time, two quarterfinal matches of the Snooker Masters ended. Zhao Xintong battled through 11 frames but was edged out 5-6 by the experienced and tough Higgins, while Trump dominated once more with a 6-2 victory over Mark Allen. Thus, two spots in the semifinals are secured by the Grand Slam winners Higgins and Trump!

Zhao Xintong vs. Higgins. Zhao is the first Chinese World Championship winner and also one of the youngest champions. Facing the seasoned Higgins in this round brought immense pressure, making victory very challenging. The match featured intense exchanges, with Zhao leading four times but each time Higgins fought back to level. Zhao was unfortunate to miss out after reaching a 5-3 match point. However, defensive weaknesses showed in the later stages; in the deciding frame, after reaching 53 points, a red ball error was costly—essentially a learning experience. Ultimately, Zhao lost 5-6 to Higgins, whose precision and luck were outstanding. Clearly, Higgins grows stronger with age!

Trump vs. Mark Allen. Trump, ranked world number one and a favorite to win, cruised through the first round with a 6-2 win over China’s Ding Junhui among the top eight players. This round against Mark Allen was a high-stakes battle between two top players. The first four frames were fiercely contested: Mark Allen won two frames with single breaks, while Trump’s steady defense and tactical play earned him two frames, leveling the match at 2-2. In the crucial fifth frame, Mark Allen initially scored 68 points in a break but Trump stunned everyone by finishing with a 69-point break for a dramatic comeback and a 3-2 lead. Afterwards, Mark Allen collapsed rapidly, and Trump capitalized by winning three consecutive frames, sealing a dominant 6-2 victory and advancing strongly to the semifinals!

With these results, the semifinals now include Trump and Higgins, who will meet to compete for a final spot in what promises to be an epic showdown. Two more quarterfinal matches remain: the Chinese derby between Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong, and the key clash between Robertson and Kyren Wilson. The final four will be decided soon—let’s stay tuned!

Written by / Sports Novel