Ronnie O’Sullivan v Judd Trump LIVE: Snooker updates as stars clash in Saudi semi-final
The two sporting icons square off in the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker, with a place in tonight’s final up for grabs
Ronnie O’Sullivan will look to keep his impressive start to the year going when he takes on Judd Trump in the semi-final of the World Masters of Snooker in Riyadh this afternoon.
The 12-man event is the inaugural tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia, featuring a prize pot of £788,000 and a controversial new Golden Ball worth an additional 20 points, extending the maximum possible break to 167.
O’Sullivan who has already won The Masters and the UK Championship among other events this year, breezed past John Higgins 4-0 in his quarter-final match to reach the final four.
Trump, meanwhile, who lost to O’Sullivan in the World Grand Prix final, will hope to enact revenge having won 4-3 in a tight encounter against Shaun Murphy in his quarter-final match.
Follow all the action from Saudi Arabia below:
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Judd Trump
Judd Trump is introduced first before Ronnie O’Sullivan comes striding out to the table. The crowd is packed in now and looks excited for this one.
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Judd Trump
Okay then.
The next semi-final of this World Masters of Snooker is about to get underway. In head-to-heads Ronnie O’Sullivan has won 15 matches against Judd Trump while Trump has won 13 of the clashes against O’Sullivan.
That’s too close to call a winner before this one kicks off.
Luca Brecel vs Mark Allen
Luca Brecel wins it! The Belgian is the first player into the final of the World Masters of Snooker. A comfortable 4-2 victory over Mark Allen gets him into the title match.
Who will he play there? Ronnie O’Sullivan or Judd Trump?
Luca Brecel vs Mark Allen
Luca Brecel takes a potentially vital 19-1 lead in this sixth frame but doesn’t leave Mark Allen on for a pot. He plays it safe although there’s a long pot for Brecel on the cards.
He lands it and takes control of the frame again, can he finish off this match?
Luca Brecel vs Mark Allen
Mark Allen is clinging on to this match. A break of 133, the third century break in as many games, sees him take the fifth frame and keep the match going.
He trails by one now as Luca Brecel leads 3-2. Could the comeback be on?
Bigger crowds for semi-finals
Much of the tournament in Saudi Arabia has been played in front of lacklustre crowds. Today’s action is an exception with the venue in Riyadh close to a full house.
Luca Brecel vs Mark Allen
Brecel is closing in on victory! Fresh off the back of Mark Allen’s century break the Belgian scores one of his own by notching up a 125 to move within one frame of victory in this semi-final.
Lots of work for Allen to do now. He’ll need to win three in a row to claim a spot in the final.
Golden ball explained
For those of us not up to date with the latest gimmick of this tournament in Saudi Arabia, here’s a brief explainer of the golden ball and how it features into a possible 167 break:
What is the golden ball?
A golden ball has been introduced in for the event in Saudi Arabia. If a player completes a 147, they have the chance to make a record 167 break.
The golden ball is worth 20 points and sits on the top cushion throughout the frame for as long as a player can still complete the maximum break.
It is removed when the opportunity for a maximum break is over.
Luca Brecel vs Mark Allen
Mark Allen is on the board after taking the third frame in his semi-final against Luca Brecel. The Belgian leads 2-1 but Allen’s response was brilliant.
A century break of 121, his first of the tournament, has brought him right back into the contest.
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