Xi'an Grand Prix 2024: Judd Trump maintains unbeaten start to season with David Gilbert scalp to reach semi-final
Updated 23/08/2024 at 19:03 GMT+1
Judd Trump joined the legendary Ronnie O'Sullivan and world champion Kyren Wilson in the Xi'an Grand Prix semi-finals after he defeated David Gilbert for his ninth win of the season. 'The Ace in the Pack' continued his undefeated start to the campaign as he bids to back up his Shanghai Masters victory in the second ranking event of the season. He will play Daniel Wells next.
Trump seals Shanghai Masters title with record 10th century
Video credit: TNT Sports
Judd Trump defeated David Gilbert to advance to the 2024 Xi'an Grand Prix semi-finals and maintain his unbeaten run this season.
The 35-year-old backed up his thrashing of World Championship finalist Jak Jones on Thursday to beat Gilbert 5-2 and set up a last-four clash with Daniel Wells.
Not much separated Trump and Gilbert in the early stages of the all-English quarter-final.
In a long-winded opening frame, it was Gilbert who was in control for the most part but could not follow through with the momentum as Trump rallied to take the early advantage.
Gilbert did then get on the board when he struck a neat break of 56 to help him to 73 points and the equalising frame.
Trump restored his lead in the following frame but was keen to hit the interval with a bit of rhythm after a stop-start opening.
‘The Ace in the Pack’ delivered the highest break of the match to that point as he put together a clean run of 68 to take a 3-1 lead and firm control of the tie.
However, following the interval, Trump squandered his two-frame cushion following an error-strewn fifth frame as Gilbert took his chance to claw his way back into the match.
With half of the pack still on the table, Trump was in an ideal position to rack up a high break and move three frames ahead, but crucially missed an easy blue.
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Gilbert returned to the baize with caution, biding his time with some safety play until Trump made another mistake which gave him a route back into the match at a vital stage.
But just as Gilbert halved his deficit, Trump replied with a convincing sixth frame as he grew in confidence and moved to within one of the semi-final.
And he finished in style with a break of 94 – narrowly missing out on his 991st career century – to confirm his spot in the last four.
In the opposite semi-final, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will take on current world champion Kyren Wilson for the chance to play for the inaugural Xi'an Grand Prix crown.
WELLS SETS UP TRUMP CLASH
Daniel Wells wrapped up a 5-3 win over Barry Hawkins on Friday to book his place in the semi-finals against Trump.
After taking the opening frame, the Welshman was forced to watch Hawkins take the next three and put himself in a commanding position.
Hawkins had hit 126 in the second frame and was clearly confident after beating world No. 1 Mark Allen in the previous round.
But from the fifth frame onwards, Wells was imperious, taking four straight frames to seal a 5-3 win.
Wells now faces Trump in the second semi-final, following the clash between Wilson and O'Sullivan.
Xi'an Grand Prix quarter-final results
- Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Matthew Selt
- Kyren Wilson 5-1 Xu Si
- Judd Trump 5-3 David Gilbert
- Daniel Wells 5-3 Barry Hawkins
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