Wuhan Open snooker 2024 as it happened - Chris Wakelin stuns Ding Junhui after Judd Trump beats John Higgins

The Wuhan Open is back with Judd Trump the defending champion, after a 10-7 victory over Ali Carter in last year's final. Follow live frame-by-frame coverage of Trump's round-four clash against four-time world champion John Higgins. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Carter takes on Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize faces off against Jack Lisowski.

'Brilliant' Wilson wraps up whitewash win against Hill

Video credit: TNT Sports

THAT'S US DONE FOR TODAY

Join us again tomorrow at 7am BST for more!

around the tables

Wuhan Open

Referee 'lays down the law' during Wuhan Open final between Xiao and Wilson

30/08/2025 at 21:33

Barry Hawkins 2-5 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 4-3 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 5-2 Duane Jones

CHRIS WAKELIN BEATS DING JUNHUI 5-3

He finishes with a 78 and moves on to meet Judd Trump next. If he plays like this then, he's a live dog despie his 0-13 career record against The Ace. Ding, meanwhile, will know he didn't play badly, his opponent just hit a seam.

DING 3-4 WAKELIN (24-64)

Chris makes it safe, and in a way, fiding this break after what happened in the last frame is more impressive than just closing out. He's been wondrous.

DING 3-4 WAKELIN (24-42)

Again, Chris is calm, but it only takes one twitch or moment of carelessness to ruin what he's worked for. It doesn't look like it's coming, but as we know – and have had reconfirmed today – that's often the way. There are no dangers on this table ad, with the yellow safeish, there's also insurance.

DING 3-4 WAKELIN (24-15)

All the more so! Ding misses to left-centre when bridging awkwardly, leaving Chris another opportunity to finish him. He'll be feeling pretty sick, you'd think, having botched various opportunities last frame and knowing he's one miss away from doing likewise here. But he's started well enough.

DING 3-4 WAKELIN (8-1)

Chris has a good look at a ball to left corner, coming across the table to cut home once he's sure it goes, only to miss the yellow with the rest. So Ding gets away, sinks a cut-back black, and this is tense now.

around the tables

Barry Hawkins 2-5 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 4-2 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 4-2 Duane Jones

DING 3-4 WAKELIN

Ding removes all the balls, and Chris needs to reset. This game!

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (37-61)

Ding stuns in a good yellow and Chris will wonder how he's not already through.

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (25-61)

Chirs escapes a pair of simple snookers, almost fluking the final red on the second occasion. So Ding goes again, and a fortuitous double-kiss sorts him out, then Chris hits well via swerve ... and goes in-off! If Ding clears up – and he should – he closes the gap to one when really, he should be gone.

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (25-61)

Ding goes for his snooker with one red left but leaves a pot on; Chris refuses it to play safe.

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (25-61)

Oh! Ding pots the pink in-off, meaning the lead is 52 with 51 left. One more red to Chris and he'll surely have to shake hands, but he sends down the next ball, adds the black then another red-black, and this match is still alive.

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (9-55)

Ding sends a red on the left of the table spinning to right corner, the three now remaining not far off the side rail. And he can't despatch the first of them, wobbling jaws via rest, so the chase is on, Chris needing one more ball to leave Ding needing a snooker.

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (2-55)

Aaaarrrggghhh! Match at his mercy and just as Fouldsy is praising his concentration, Chris misses a black off its spot! The home crowd love it but Ding doesn't play a great shot in sinking his opener, misses a cut when seeking to send pink to middle, and the lead is 53 with 59 left. So Chris takes on a red to middle as a shot to nothing, doesn't get especially close, and Ding is still in it!

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (1-54)

I hope Chris keeps playing like this; I can't believe he's ever played better. The composure and certainty have been wonderful, and he's nearly there; two red-colours required.

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (1-23)

So far, no signs of tightening as the finish line nears. But there's a long way to go yet...

DING 2-4 WAKELIN (1-8)

A poor shot from Chris, trying a red to left corner as a shot to nothing and leaving a starter, means Ding smashes the pack ... only to massively overcut a black to right corner ... with claret everywhere! The way Chris is playing, you expect him finish the match from here.

around the tables

Barry Hawkins 2-3 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 3-1 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 3-2 Duane Jones

DING 2-4 WAKELIN

Nope, Chris misses a cut-back black so has to be satisfied with a 92. He'd've took it.

DING 2-3 WAKELIN (11-91)

There's a real calmness about Chris today. He doesn't expect to miss, and though a fourth ton of the match looks nails, given the whereabouts of the balls, he's one away from a last-eight match with Judd Trump, the defeding champion.

DING 2-3 WAKELIN (11-52)

Chris is back at it, potting balls. This is a useful run and he looks good to go 4-2.

DING 2-3 WAKELIN (11-16)

Left no option but to play a pot, Ding finds a three-ball plant, I think on prupose, but slides through a tiny gap between yellow, his nominated ball, and brown. So feart of winding up in similar position, Chris asks him to play from where he lands, then a few shots later Ding misses a thin contact, leaving plenty. But the opener isn't a gimme, Chris whacks into the jaws of left corner, and how he must despise the mid-sesh that aborted his flow. Ding, though, misses a starter of his own and Chris gets away.

DING 2-3 WAKELIN (6-0)

Ding gets away to right-centre, but a terrible blue sees him brush a cluster he'd hoped to avoid and he has to play safe.

around the tables

Barry Hawkins 1-3 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 3-1 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 3-1 Duane Jones

DING 2-3 WAKELIN

Nope, a missed brown means Ding has to content himself with a frame back. This is a fantastic contest.

DING 1-3 WAKELIN (62-0)

Ding needs one more ball to secure the frame and, for a second, it looks like he's run out. But there's a dead-on plant so he kisses that home and now he's on for a TC.

DING 1-3 WAKELIN (33-0)

Ding sneaks a red into left corner using every part of the pocket, then slides a horrible pink to middle. He's looking good.

DING 1-3 WAKELIN (13-0)

Perhaps. He misses to right corner and Ding gets away, having not potted in quite some time. I wonder if both spent the interval on the table, Chris in a bid to maintain form and Ding looking to discover it.

we go again

Has Chris cooled?

around the tables

Barry Hawkins 0-3 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 3-0 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 2-1 Duane Jones

DING 1-3 WAKELIN

I've known for a while that Chirs is a good platyer, but I'v never seen him play this well. He develops the final red, slides it to right corner, and will surely bin the colours for a third TC on the spin. The ponk, though, is a very tight cut to the middle, so he spins it long to the yellow ... and it's down! This is amazing behaviour, it really is, and a 132 means 399 unanswered points. He'll be devo'd the interval is interrupting the best form of his life, but he's in a great spot. See you in 15.

DING 1-2 WAKELIN (0-91)

The other two tons, the balls were easier but he barely had play a recovery pot. This run has been more demanding, but the outcome is the same: frame to Chris. Can he make it a third consecutive ton and total clearance?

DING 1-2 WAKELIN (0-50)

Chris has now scored over 300 points without reply, whuch is no reflection Ding and every reflection on him. There no sense he might miss a ball, but this game being this game, it can happen at any point. As I type, though, he bumps the pack again, and this looks a lot like 3-1.

DING 1-2 WAKELIN (0-23)

With no angle to go into the pack, Chris leaves himself a nasty one to the middle ... and slots it beautifully, earning another chance of the black. Thsi time, he gets into the cluster off the black ... with a bit too much venom. No matter: he slides another to the centre and this is glorious behaviour.

DING 1-2 WAKELIN (0-7)

Now then! Chris clicks a fine starter to right corner and he's flying. A blue follows, there are a few loose reds, and he really needs to cash in while he's playing like this.

around the tables

Barry Hawkins 0-2 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 2-0 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 0-1 Duane Jones

DING 1-2 WAKELIN

A second straight total clearance, this time of 139 – the joint-highest break of the competition – and Chris has played perfect snooker the last two frames. The next one is a biggun.

DING 1-1 WAKELIN (0-76)

But for now, it's peachy as you like, and another ton looks likely – though he'll need to split two reds under the pink.

DING 1-1 WAKELIN (0-52)

Welcome to The Zone. Population: C. Wakelin. Chris is playing nicely here, though of course you're always one careless shot away from it all falling apart.

DING 1-1 WAKELIN (0-22)

Again, Ding's break-off leaves one, again, Chris drains it, and he looks so calm at the table, ruffling the pack to dislodge a few more reds. The favourite and local favourite is in a match here.

around the tables

Barry Hawkins 0-1 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 2-0 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 0-1 Duane Jones

DING 1-1 WAKELIN

A total clearance of 128 and we're level, both men in decent nick.

DING 1-0 WAKELIN (0-84)

Chris promotes a red on the side, and the ton is there for him.

DING 1-0 WAKELIN (0-54)

This is good from Chris, and this match is shaping up nicely; it'll soon be level.

DING 1-0 WAKELIN (0-34)

Chris gets in quickly and lozzes loose balls, but when he digs into the pack the pink absorbs almost all the impact. A decent red from the side sustains the run, though, aniother bump of the cluster weleases weds, and this is now a bona fide chance.

around the tables

Barry Hawkins 0-1 Xiao Guodong

Mark Joyce 1-0 Zhang Anda

Si Jiahui 0-1 Duane Jones

DING 1-0 WAKELIN

That took much longer than it should've done, but Ding gets there in the end.

DING 0-0 WAKELIN (76-44)

Chris sees off the yellow – he needs all thew balls for a respot – but misses the green so Ding has this for the frame ... and misses. No matter: an in-off from Chris means he's nearly there and when the green goes down it's done.

DING 0-0 WAKELIN (69-42)

Chris doesn't even attempt the yellow, instead laying another snooker; Ding does supremely well to flick it whoile avoiding the nearby black.

DING 0-0 WAKELIN (69-42)

However when Chris goes again he misses and leaves the final red; he'll be grateful the yellow was inadvertently pushed to the side rail earlier, while the brown is on the top.

DING 0-0 WAKELIN (69-31)

Chris slots a red to right corner then closes the gap, eventually laying the snooker he needs, white on the top rail and blocked off by the black, final red in baulk. Ding, though, escapes well.

DING 0-0 WAKELIN (69-1)

There are few better in the balls than Ding, but a poor shot necessitates a tricky cut-back black ... which he drains beautifully. Chris now needs a snooker, but when Ding can't sink a double, he returns to a table that still has plenty of balls on it.

DING 0-0 WAKELIN (31-1)

In comms, Nealf can't believe Chris took on that brown but I guess he wanted to lay down a marker. But in classic this game style, it might cost him the frame. Not because there are balls all over – there aren't – but because Ding is so good in this position. And have a look! A beautiful split off the black, and this really should be 1-0.

DING 0-0 WAKELIN (8-1)

Chris is one of the most improved players on the tour and he gets away off Ding's break, clipping to right corner, before taking on a nasty brown to middle and missing by a bit. So Ding slides into the same bag , adds the black, and he's in.

the boyz baize

'Goodness me...it's dropped!' - Trump hits one of the flukes of the season

Video credit: TNT Sports

we go again...

THat's us done for the early dig

Join us again at midday, when we'll focus on the Wakelin-Ding match – with updates from all the others.

AROUND THE TABLES

Shaun Murphy 5-4 Ali Carter

Ben Woollaston 3-3 Long Zehuang

Wu Yize 0-5 Jack Lisowski

JUDD TRUMP BEATS JOHN HIGGINS 5-2

He meets Chris Wakelin or Ding Junhui next.

TRUMP 4-2 HIGGINS (60-0)

Two huge flukes have played a huge part in this match, but Judd is just so difficult to beat.

TRUMP 4-2 HIGGINS (39-0)

The way the balls are, this should be the end.

Trump left baffled after cue mystery in Higgins clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

TRUMP 4-2 HIGGINS (26-0)

A fine safety from John leaves the brown covering most of the table. But looking to get the white safe, Judd flicks one red on to another and again benefits from a major fluke, the second ball rolling into the pocket. He's perfect on the brown too, and that might be enough for him to finish the match.

TRUMP 4-2 HIGGINS (20-0)

John rolls up off the side but leaves one, and might that be his final shot in the match?Judd has a lot of work to do, a plant with the rest required to sustain the run ... and he miscues!

TRUMP 4-2 HIGGINS (5-0)

Apparently in trouble, Judd sends the white diagonally towards the side rail, clinking a red down it into right corner. Certainly the shot of the match, reckons Angles, and perhaps the tournament. He soon uses the opportunity to tuck in behind the green.

AROUND THE TABLES

Shaun Murphy 5-4 Ali Carter

Ben Woollaston 3-2 Long Zehuang

Wu Yize 0-5 Jack Lisowski

TRUMP 4-2 HIGGINS

A total clearance of 126 and john keeps the match alive in emphatic fashion.

TRUMP 4-1 HIGGINS (0-70)

John makes the frame safe.

TRUMP 4-1 HIGGINS (0-33)

John knows any miss here means curtains, and also that there won't be many, if any, best-of-nines Judd's lost from 4-1 up. For now, though, he's potting nicely.

TRUMP 4-1 HIGGINS (0-4)

Another tactical start to a frame, reds spread and white on black cush. Without many options, Judd has a go at one to middle, missing and leaving one along the bottom rail. John sees it away, adds the green, and this is a really impoirtant run because there's loads available.

AROUND THE TABLES

Shaun Murphy 4-4 Ali Carter

Ben Woollaston 3-1 Long Zehuang

Wu Yize 0-5 Jack Lisowski

TRUMP 4-1 HIGGINS

Amd Judd sinks it, makes sure by sending blue long to left corner, and the champ is one away. The Wiz will be feeling poorly.

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS (56-39)

Ach, John can't drain the green, the brilliant red compromised by a careless follow-up. So Judd needs two balls for the frame and clips home the first. Brown to middle for 4-1...

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS (56-39)

As I type, John plays safe, and that difficult red is now the only one remaining. Judd leaves him a dart at it though, almost the full diag of the table, and he drains it beautifully only to play a poor positional shot getting the blue back on its spot. So a difficult yellow with the rest comes next, he slips it into the yellow bag, and another tight one on the green is coming up...

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS (56-31)

John does indeed break the reds but there's one on the side – and the blue is further up the same rail. It won't be easy to win the frame from here, but it remains possible.

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS (56-7)

Judd catches the near jaw with an attempted plant to middle, so John gets away. There are three reds under the pink that'll need breaking, but this is a far better chance than he'll have been expecting when sat in his seat.

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS (56-0)

Attempting a red along black cush, Judd hits the jaws, so John returns to the table well behind but with plenty left.

You don't see Higgins do this very often...

Video credit: TNT Sports

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS (36-0)

Judd's into stride here, and John'll be fearing the worst. The recovery pots are working, and when that's the case, this man'll take some beating.

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS (9-0)

Both men miss to right corner then Judd gets away, the reds pretty nicely spread.

we go again

Judd picks up someone else's cue, but the situation is soon resolved and we're back away.

AROUND THE TABLES

Shaun Murphy 3-2 Ali Carter

Ben Woollaston 2-1 Long Zehuang

Wu Yize 0-5 Jack Lisowski

TRUMP 3-1 HIGGINS

It's not inconceivable John come back from this, but Judd improved through the mini-sesh and it'll take something significant to stop him. We'll be back in 15.

TRUMP 2-1 HIGGINS (61-0)

This hasn't been an easy break but Judd's dealt with it nicely.

TRUMP 2-1 HIGGINS (31-0)

Judd removes loose balls.

TRUMP 2-1 HIGGINS (4-0)

More fine safety, then Judd slides a decent starter to right-middle before thumping home a yellow and moving back to the business end. There are plenty balls there for him and if he can take this frame, it'll feel like the match is swinging his way.

AROUND THE TABLES

Shaun Murphy 3-2 Ali Carter

Ben Woollaston 2-1 Long Zehuang

Wu Yize 0-4 Jack Lisowski

TRUMP 2-1 HIGGINS

Judd does the necessary. John could be forgiven for wondering if he's missed his chance.

TRUMP 1-1 HIGGINS (60-25)

Oooh! Judd promotes various reds, leaving one for John, who makes little of it. So The Ace nails the thinnest of cuts from long range before nuzzling up to the green. That creates a chance, and the frame is nearly his.

TRUMP 1-1 HIGGINS (53-24)

And he does, playing safe when running out of position with a handy lead.

TRUMP 1-1 HIGGINS (31-24)

Judd quickly forges in front and, though he'll need to nudge what remains of the cluster, he's well-placed to take command of the frame.

TRUMP 1-1 HIGGINS (5-24)

Sending one long to the green, John doesn't get close. Chance for Judd!

TRUMP 1-1 HIGGINS (0-24)

Judd misses to left corner and John immediately gets to work.

AROUND THE TABLES

Shaun Murphy 3-1 Ali Carter

Ben Woollaston 2-0 Long Zehuang

Wu Yize 0-3 Jack Lisowski

TRUMP 1-1 HIGGINS

An hour 15 or so for two frames would have you think these aren't playing well, but they're in nick - the safety has just been excellent.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (72-45)

Judd looks to send green to left corner, catches it thick ... and flukes it into right-middle! The frame is his.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (60-4)

And still they chase it.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (60-40)

A snooker allows Judd to take control of the exchange – John hits but soon leaves it – problem being the green is still where it's been for some time.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (57-36)

But the stumbling block turns out to be the yellow. john almost doubles it off black cush into its own bag, but the ball flicks out of the jaws and the chase for it is on.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (57-21)

Mistake from Judd allows John a go and, as we're so fond of saying, there's no better pilferer of frames nor has there ever been. This is on, though the green is in the middle of the baulk rail.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (57-0)

Judd runs out position but drains a lovely nip to right corner. He loses the white, but a telling safety leaves John in an invidious position.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (43-0)

So far, the quality of safety is what's most notable about this match. But Judd is, of course, one of the greatest potters we've ever seen and he's taking these superbly.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (10-0)

After a protracted safety exchange, Judd thinks he can sneak past the yellow to attack a red not far from right corner ... and he's right. The loose reds appear to be blocking each other, but if he picks the correct route through them, there are points available.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (1-0)

Poking in and out of the cluster, our players agree a re-rack.

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS (1-0)

Judd misses to left corner, twice, then John miscues so he pots off the side then snuggles up to the yellow. John escapes and we're back playing safety.

AROUND THE TABLES

Shaun Murphy 0-1 Ali Carter

Ben Woollaston 0-0 Long Zehuang

Wu Yize 0-1 Jack Lisowski

TRUMP 0-1 HIGGINS

John hits the front.

TRUMP 0-0 HIGGINS (27-52)

Stretching a little, Judd can't sink one to left corner when there was an easier ball available to the yellow bag. But John then misses a cut-back to middle and that could cost him – though there are three reds on or near rails. No matter: Judd misses black but develops red, and that should mean the frame.

TRUMP 0-0 HIGGINS (11-46)

Judd wins the safety battle, John going in-off in response to a good shot, and Judd now has a chance to get back into the frame.

TRUMP 0-0 HIGGINS (0-46)

After a safety exchange, John clips from middle to left corner – he's in touch – but misses broon to middle played as a shot to nowt. Already, this is an absorbing contest.

TRUMP 0-0 HIGGINS (0-45)

John accumulates patiently and methodically, then comes up for blue when the packs needs breaking. But though he sends a ball towards right corner having playing the shot beautifully, he's stuck to what's left of the cluster; end of break, and a difficult safety to hide the loose red. He plays it well.

TRUMP 0-0 HIGGINS (0-8)

John gets away with one when Judd, who often starts poorly, can't sink a clip to right corner. So instead it's The Wiz who gets away and there are points available. And remember, his cue was left on the tarmac at Charles de Gaulle not long ago; the replacement has him playing better than for years.