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Saudi Arabia Masters as it happened – Si Jiahui stuns Ronnie O'Sullivan, to face Mark Williams in semi-finals
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Published 05/09/2024 at 13:11 GMT+1
Eurosport brings you live coverage as the inaugural 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters reaches the quarter-final stage. The evening line-up sees Ronnie O'Sullivan play Si Jiahui and Mark Williams against Jimmy Robertson, after wins earlier in the day for Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy. Stream the 2024 Saudi Masters and more top snooker live and on-demand on Eurosport and discovery+.
‘That could be a match winner!’ – Trump pulls off ‘shot of the match’ against Robertson
Video credit: TNT Sports
That's us done for the evening
Si Jiahui is £100,000 richer, that being the prize for making the last four. We'll be back again tomorrow at 11.30am BST - join us then.
Si Jiahui beats Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-4!
A monstrous win for the young man, who seems to rise to every challenge he's offered. he meets Mark J WIlliams next, and the composure he showed in finishing that much was very impressive. He's going to be a feature in our game for a very long time - lucky us.
O'Sullivan 4-5 Jiahui (0-52)
Ronnie should get up stand over Si's shoulder - is that allowed? On the one hand, he'll be feeling the pressure; on the other, moments like this are why he's involved in the game. So he picks at loose balls, building a lead, and imagine how he'll be feeling now. He's so, so close.
O'Sullivan 4-5 Jiahui (0-15)
Si hasn't done loads wrong, just a miss here and there, and against Ronnie it doesn't need to be much more. And when Ronnie misses to right corner, he gets away, a couple of careful shots open the table, and this is proper chance to secure f&m.
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'A possible turning point' - O'Sullivan misses green, loses frame to Si
Video credit: TNT Sports
On table two
Mark Williams 6-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 4-5 Jiahui
"Ronnie O'Sullivan is astoundingly good," notes Phil, as a run of 56 - more than enough - secures the frame.
O'Sullivan 3-5 Jiahui (44-0)
But then he runs into the pack and plays a poor redemptive safety, leaving si on the baulk line between yellow and brown spot, a starter available to right corner. He's coaxed down loads of these tonight and this one looks good too ... but it stays up, jist! Ronnie will surely finish the frame from here...
O'Sullivan 3-5 Jiahui (24-0)
Si misses to the middle and Ronnie gets away to right corner; in comms, Phil notes that if Ronnie loses tonight, Judd will stay world no1 whatever else he does from here. But Ronnie isn't planning for that, deploying the old left hand to lovely effect.
On table two
Mark Williams 5-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 3-5 Jiahui
Ronnie closes the gap, and Si will be feeling breath on neck.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Jiahui (71-0)
Ronnie cannot, and when Si responds to his good safety with a looser version, a red is takne from middle to left corner in lovely style, and the frame is now over.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Jiahui (60-0)
There's no one better at solving the puzzle of a frame than Ronnie, and when a blue wipoes its feet before disappearing down left corner, it looks like 5-3 is imminent. But the cluster under the pink needs disturbing.
O'Sullivan 2-5 Jiahui (21-0)
Si misses a starter steered towards left corner, so Ronnie sends one diagonally ito the gree from really close to it. He has to play no-miss snooker now, and this frame is opening out nicely.
On table two
Mark Williams 4-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 2-5 Jiahui
Ronnie needs four on the spin to avoid defeat. If Si doesn't get nervous, it's hard to see that - but he might.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Jiahui (0-96)
Si's potted beautifully tonight - he often does - but he's overscrewed, so can't get at hos red of choice. There's another there for him, but it'll be tougher to get on the black ... and he does ... but he misses the pot! He slumps in his chair, scratcuing his head like Stan Laurel - chances to make a maxi against TMNTPETPUAC are rare, and who knows if one will come along again. But he's still three up with four to play, a consolation prize I'm certain he'll accept.
O'Sullivan 2-4 Jiahui (0-80)
Oooh yeah, this is on! By rmeoving balls, see promotes other balls, and there's no reason at all to think he's not going to do this! This is an amazing opportunity, and there's £25k riding on it! COME ON SI, LAD!
O'Sullivan 2-4 Jiahui (0-56)
From close to it, Si sends a red long to the yellow, and from here, the frame should be his. There are still unavailable balls, but there are enough loose ones - able to be taken with blacks - for the maxi to be possible. Noppon Saengkham, who for now is due the full £50k, will be hoping for a miss so he doesn't have to share, but as I type, a nicely-played cannon makes that look less likely! Come on Si!
O'Sullivan 2-4 Jiahui (0-24)
Ronnie leaves one to right corner and Si steers it home beautifully - that might be his best pot so far. And there are points there for him, though he'll have to break the pack shortly - having taken three red-blacks...
On table two
Mark Williams 4-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 2-4 Jiahui
Another one to Si, and if he doesn't get nervous with the line in sight, he's looking good to sort this.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Jiahui (4-60)
He does wind up having to play safe but soon gets another go, and that two-frame lead is almost his.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Jiahui (0-35)
But it's Ronnie who leaves a red close enough to left corner such that his good white doesn't matter to Si, who punches home a fine starter. This is a chance to go two in front, because there are more than enough balls loose for him to cliunch the frame at this visit without doing anything too taxing (for him - not for us, obviously).
O'Sullivan 2-3 Jiahui (0-29)
Si runs out of position so lays a snooker; Ronnie escapes via roll-up, and won't mind a safety exchange, as he's better at them than his young opponent.
O'Sullivan 2-3 Jiahui (0-13)
Si's middle-pocket potting has been pretty decent tonight and another goodun gets him away; if he can put two between him and Ronnie at this point in proceedings, he'll be feeling pretty good about life.
On table two
Mark Williams 3-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 2-3 Jiahui
the match continues to shift and there's not much between these.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Jiahui (5-54)
A nice pink crunched into middle gives an angle to develop balls on the top rail, but he misses black to middle ... and needing snookers, Ronnie concedes.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Jiahui (5-32)
Less so now. Si pots pink and breaks the pack while, in comms, Phil Yates notes that if he wins this competition he's qulaify for the Champion of Champions, the World GP, the Tour Finals, the main bit of the UK and the Cruce. He's cueing nicely...
O'Sullivan 2-2 Jiahui (5-18)
Another miss from Ronnie, so Si gets involved - but the table is still a tricky one.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Jiahui (2-4)
Ronnie gets a bad contact you can properly hear and Si tidies up a red, but he gets too much action on the white, meaning a nasty yellow across the table to right middle ... and he punches it home nicely. But then he misses a blue he shouldn't, and will be relieved the table isn't that inviting - though Ronnie gets away to left corner via red ... only to miss the same blue to same bag! Again, though, a kiss off the yellow makes his error less troubling, and when Si plays a poor safety he's immediately back in.
We go again
On table two
Mark Williams 2-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 2-2 Jiahui
We're level after a mini-sesh that's flown by. I can't wait to see what happens when they return.
O'Sullivan 1-2 Jiahui (60-20)
Ronnie makes the frame safe. He's playing nicely and, as ever, anyone wanting to beat him will hvce to play well.
O'Sullivan 1-2 Jiahui (6-20)
Not really. He runs out of position so plays safe, but with a thin cut to left corner on; Ronnie misses it thin and gets back to baulk, behind the green. Si's two-cushion escape, though, is poor and leaves loads. Poink and black are tied up, though, so there's work to do.
O'Sullivan 1-2 Jiahui (1-0)
Ronnie clips from centre to left corner ... only to miss blue to middle. I didn't see that coming, but a kiss on the yellow makes Si's starter harder ... but he drains it anyroad. Can he forget what just happened and build on it?
On table two
Mark Williams 1-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 1-2 Jiahui
You knew he'd never miss. So when he ought to have been 3-0 down - as he was last evening against Zhang Anda and still won - now he's just a frame behind.
O'Sullivan 0-2 Jiahui (43-60)
Ronnie needs all the balls, but they're all there for him - though the pink is on the yellow spot.
O'Sullivan 0-2 Jiahui (7-60)
Ooooh, but a little closer to it than ideal he misses a black off its spot and Ronnie must now do to Si what Si did to him last frame.
O'Sullivan 0-2 Jiahui (0-27)
Now then. Si gets in first in frame three and if he could take this one too, he'd really be talking. The pack will need breaking at some point, but for now he's picking - and looking good doing it.
On table two
Mark Williams 1-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 0-2 Jiahui
Eighty-seven and the frame! It wasn't a difficult clearance, but Si dealt with it nicely and isn't overawed by his opponent in the slightes t- as we knew he wouldn't be.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Jiahui (45-66)
I said nothing on the table was safe, but the green is the trickiest remaining ball, a little off the side rail near the yellow bag - he gets on to it nicely, down it goes, and he's going to in front.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Jiahui (45-40)
That missed green might be a key moment in the match if Si clears here and he looks like he's going to.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Jiahui (45-2)
Ronnie leaves Si in a tricky situation and his response is to leave Ronnie a tempter to middle; he sees it away, only to miss green to the green~ Si must punish him here, because there's nothing on the table that's safe.
O'Sullivan 0-1 Jiahui (44-1)
Ronnie gets in at the start of frame two, but bridging awkwardly he jabs to left-middle with safety in mind, looking for cover ... but he doesn't get it and Si despatches the ball he missed. Only to sink a nice red ... and go in-off! This game!
On table two
Mark Williams 1-0 Jimmy Robertson
O'Sullivan 0-1 Jiahui
Si hits the front, as he probably needed to.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Jiahui (21-63)
Si secures the frame and looks to be in decent nick. But he can't get on to the last red, so plays safe with one snooker required; Ronnie misses with his escape then, with the ref trying to work out if it's a free ball or not, concedes.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Jiahui (21-48)
Si runs out of position so plays safe; Ronnie's safety leaves him one to right corner which he despatches unerringly. On nothing, though, he opts to snuggle in behind the green, suffering a quick coronory when it looks like he's underhit the shot. But it's just enough pop, Ronnie misses and goes in-off with his escape, and he extends his lead - though the three remaining reds are on rails. He sends on down, and looks in good shape.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Jiahui (21-8)
Oh, Ronnie can't drain a mid-distance red to right corner, overcutting it, so Si gets going to the same bag and this is a huge chance for him to make hay.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Jiahui (15-0)
Si misses to right corner, the kind of ball you feel he has to sink if he's to win; he does well to leave nowt, especially given how hard he went at it. And though Ronnie also misses a long one, a poor shot allows him a simple starter and, though he soon winds up in amongst the pack, he finds a pot and looks in decent shape to score.
Aaaaand away we go
Our boyz baize
This is a proper match
Whatever he says, Ronnie's playing well and he knows it. That makes him a tricky proposition for Si, who's a brilliant potter, but against TMNTPETPUAC, he'll either need to be more judicious than usual or nail almost everything.
Hello again
And welcome to the evening dig.
It's not a bad old life.
Thanks for joining us
The race for the record £500,000 first prize in Saudi Arabia continues at 6pm with Ronnie O'Sullivan taking on Si Jiahui and Mark Williams facing Jimmy Robertson. We will be back with the closing quarter-final matches at 5:45pm.
Around the tables
Result: Robertson 3-6 Trump
And the handshake comes from Neil. Judd is through to the final four, and a meeting with Shaun Murphy on Friday. Which should be another thrilling encounter.
Robertson 3-5 Trump (21-89)
An excellent finish from Judd to finish off this match with his long potting a real feature of the victory. Robertson hasn't played badly today, but just came up against an inspired opponent.
Robertson 3-5 Trump (21-56)
Neil leaves a red over a top bag, doesn't get cover behind green and another chance for Judd to move nearer the win. Stunning shot on green to develop a red from other end of table. Brilliant. Close to the winning line now.
Shaun Murphy reaches semi-finals
He will play the winner of this match tomorrow after a 6-2 win over Xiao Guodong. A highest break of only 61, but he wins four straight frames from 2-2.
Robertson 3-5 Trump (17-44)
But he probably overcooks his split on pack before losing position trying to land on black, and Trump unearths a lovely long red. Six reds left up. And they are fairly safe. Still work to be done in this frame as a double fails to trouble pocket.
Robertson 3-5 Trump (8-36)
Trump looking for the one chance that could seal his progress amid a quality safety joust between both men. Robbo tries to roll up behind a red. But doesn't reach. Judd then inches away from sinking a red along the top cush. So close to a potential frame-winner. Chance then for Neil.
Robertson 3-5 Trump (0-25)
Pressure on Neil to play no-miss snooker, but even that might not be enough. Needs some help from Judd if he is to mount a recovery in Riyadh.
Robertson 3-5 Trump (0-25)
Get the feeling that eighth frame is the pivotal one as Robbo almost cracks in a long red, but doesn't drop and leaves a red for Judd to get started. Nice shot from brown to red at the top end of table. Every chance of building a decent lead here. But loses the white on 25 trying to land on a red, and just the safety shot to follow.
Robertson 3-4 Trump (44-77)
That was a sublime clearance of 77 from Trump, who is one frame away from the winning post in this match. 4-4 looked certain, but now Robbo needs the remaining three frames to stay alive in this contest.
Robertson 3-4 Trump (44-57)
Judd only chasing yellow, green and brown to lead 5-3...
Robertson 3-4 Trump (44-13)
Well, would you believe that. Robbo with balls at his mercy, but he gets a horrendous kick on blue to green pocket. Blue jumped up, and the break ends on 44. Trump with opportunity to deliver a serious body blow.
Around the tables
Robertson 3-4 Trump (31-0)
Trump attempts a long red, but is well off the potting angle with that effort. And perhaps this match is slowly turning in favour of Robertson, who is suddenly right in stroke after a 101 break. Looking now to restore parity at 4-4. Confidence clearly rising.
Robertson 2-4 Trump (113-13)
Stunning stuff from Robertson. Vintage even as Trump pays a heavy price for his safety blunder. A 101 clearance from the Melbourne man, who is back to 4-3 behind. This match coming to the boil now. Could yet go either way.
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'Wonderful stuff' - Trump takes control in quarter-final with century
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 2-4 Trump (39-13)
Blunder by Judd in trying to play safe by nudging white down to baulk. But he ends going in off with the white as Robbo tucks away a red to accept the invitation with hand on table. Trump with first chance in frame, not taken, and he could pay the price.
Robertson 2-4 Trump (8-13)
Judd missing a green to left middle as the object ball came back out. Wasn't an easy shot, and it doesn't drop. An early reprieve for Robertson, but he can only come up with eight in response. Cut on red failing to drop.
Robertson 2-3 Trump (17-70)
Robertson trying to recover ground, but ends up missing a black off the spot chasing snookers off the final red before saying enough is enough. And it will be a 4-2 advantage for Trump. Two away from a semi-final spot on Friday.
Robertson 2-3 Trump (0-70)
A break of 67 for Judd with a possible 67 remaining. Still life yet then in this frame. Judd looking for one more red to put it to bed. And in goes a long red from Trump to surely finish matters off. Heading for a 4-2 lead in the race to six.
Robertson 2-3 Trump (0-66)
Judd inching towards the restoration of his two-frame lead here. Neil with a one-visit hit in the previous frame, and Judd looking to do likewise. Some brilliant pots being picked out by the Bristolian.
Robertson 2-3 Trump (0-30)
What a stunning opening red from Judd. Lovely cut on a red is followed by a fine black to the top right-hand pocket. Trump's first real chance since the fourth frame when he broke down on 44 and lost the frame.
Robertson 1-3 Trump (77-0)
An excellent 77 from Robertson, and he is right back in the ball game here in the quest to reach the semi-finals in Riyadh on Friday.
Robertson 1-3 Trump (57-0)
Neil producing a fine response in this fifth frame, and looks like this match could be heading back to 3-2 in favour of Trump, who has done little wrong in this frame. Robertson producing a stunning plant, and hasn't looked back.
Robertson 1-3 Trump (13-0)
Neil with a super plant on reds from distance followed by a cut on a blue. And he drops in another fine cut on a blue to continue the break. The Aussie on the front foot in this vital fifth frame of the day.
O'Sullivan feels game is in decline, but is he right?
Ronnie O'Sullivan was unhappy with his display despite producing some glorious snooker in a taut 6-5 win over International Championship holder Zhang Anda in the last 16 of the Saudi Arabia Masters in Riyadh. After compiling two centuries to remain in the hunt for the £500,000 first prize, he said: "I’ve been on a steady decline probably for five years." But do the facts support such a belief? Read more here
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'What a pot!' - O'Sullivan turns on the style with opening red in final frame
Video credit: TNT Sports
Around the tables
Robertson 0-3 Trump (76-44)
Judd with another opportunity to sink the final red. Not taken and Neil puts away red, green and colours to the pink to finally register in this quarter-final. One poor positional shot by Trump leading 44-0 costs him the frame. Which could yet be a huge turning point.
Robertson 0-3 Trump (52-44)
Neil back level at 44-44 before he slots red and black after Judd goes for a long red, but rattles in jaws. Judd then with a chance on final red after Robbo fails to develop the red from side cush. But he again can't slot the key ball.
Robertson 0-3 Trump (15-44)
Brilliant pot on a red by Neil to yellow pocket. Right down length of table, and suddenly he is presented with chance to launch counter attack. Huge visit to the table in progress in context of this match.
Robertson 0-3 Trump (0-44)
Has been a matchplay masterclass form Judd so far. Keeping Neil cold in his seat, and scoring whenever he gets in. Long game working well, safety game excellent and scoring too. But he is out of position on 44 after overscrewing black. So that is end of break.
Robertson 0-3 Trump (0-11)
Trump looking right in the mood here whenever the chance presents itself. Bangs in another cracking long red after leaving Neil in a tough snooker. All working like a dream so far today.
Robertson 0-2 Trump (0-136)
In goes a fabulous plant on final two reds to continue break before he puts away the final red, black and colours to make a 100 break. The 997th century of his career. Only three short of the 1000 mark for his career. And three frames away from the semi-finals too. Work to be done by Robbo.
Robertson 0-2 Trump (0-70)
Judd well on top at the moment. Dominant from the world No. 1 in controlling matters to move three frames clear. One more frame to come before the mid-session interval.
Robertson 0-2 Trump (0-44)
Two stunning pots from Trump. Long red disappears before he unearths a wonderful shot to slide in a cutback black. And suddenly path is clear for a 3-0 lead in this quarter-final.
Robertson 0-2 Trump (0-36)
Superb long red from Judd to get the party started in this third frame. The Juddernaut warming to the task as he crashes open the reds off black with another brilliant shot. But he then misses a red to left middle when he looked likely to continue his break.
Robertson 0-1 Trump (6-58)
Trump slots red to right middle, and has a poke at blue to yellow pocket. Ends up missing blue. Which somehow races back down the table, and opens up two reds. Robbo bangs in a red, but can't drop in black needing a snooker. And that is curtains in this frame as he concedes. Judd with a 2-0 lead.
Robertson 0-1 Trump (5-57)
Judd just looking for more red to seal the deal in the second frame. Happy to stay patient, and keep nudging reds into tough places on table.
Robertson 0-1 Trump (5-57)
The cue power of Judd is such a weapon in the modern game. Can really get some movement on the white to fashion ideal position. Black near top cushion, but this already looks like a very decent chance to move 2-0 ahead in this quarter-final.
Robertson 0-1 Trump (5-45)
Robbo goes for a trademark long red, but just rattles the jaws, and Judd makes no mistake with a cracking long red of his own. Off then Judd goes again here.
Robertson 0-1 Trump (4-40)
Safety battle in progress as Judd forced to declare on 40. Vital than Neil doesn't give up the next scoring chance.
Robertson 0-1 Trump (4-33)
Trump showing off his cue power in this break. Moves the ball in and out baulk with little or no effort. White is already travelling here, but he is back in business. Up quickly to 33.
Robertson 0-1 Trump (4-14)
Robbo goes for a long red, but is well off the potting angle of that one. Sticks up a red for Trump to attack, and he makes no mistake. So chance then for Judd to get hand on table as a black disappears. What is he going to make here?
Robertson 0-0 Trump (44-72)
Down to 23 points then with 18 left on the baize. But there won't be any more attempts on snookers as Judd clips home a blue to a top pocket. And that will be that. Trump leads Robertson 1-0 in this heavyweight quarter-final.
Robertson 0-0 Trump (37-67)
So down to the colours. Trump not managing to put away this frame. A lead of 24 points with 27 still on table. And Neil produces a fine escape to hit yellow and leave it safe. But a superb shot by Trump snookers his opponent. Neil can't hit yellow, and that means he needs a snooker. But Trump drills in the yellow as insurance. Two snookers required for Neil.
Robertson 0-0 Trump (37-33)
Brilliant cutback on a red by Robbo to splash open the cluster of reds. Slams home a superb blue to yellow bag, but then misses a mid-range red. And that could be a pivotal moment in this first frame as Trump returns to table. All reds there for the taking.
Robertson 0-0 Trump (23-28)
A stunning piece of cueing from Robertson to drop a red into a right middle pocket. That is a supreme pot from the Aussie. Chance then to get some forward momentum in this opening frame of a possible 11.
Robertson 0-0 Trump (8-28)
Well, perhaps expected him to make a bit more than 28, but Trump out of position in trying to land on a loose red. And that is break over. Which will please Robertson no end.
Robertson 0-0 Trump (8-14)
Early chance for Robbo to get moving, but a red to right middle eludes him after a superb long red-black combo. Trump wastes little time in dropping in his first red of day to a centre pocket.
Welcome back to the action
It is quarter-final day at the Saudi Arabia Masters in Riyadh, and first up today is Judd Trump against Neil Robertson, two former world champions, battling it out for a spot in the semi-finals. The other showpiece match today is Shaun Murphy taking on Xiao Guodong before Ronnie O'Sullivan continues his quest against Si Jiahui at 6pm this evening. Mark Williams meets Jimmy Robertson at the same time. Let's get the boys on the baize.
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Robertson warns Trump he's in shape of his life ahead of blockbuster clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Saudi Arabia Masters Quarter finals
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