The 2019 World Open Semi-finals is somewhat strikingly similar to the 2019 World Championship Final as Judd Trump hosts John Higgins on Saturday.
This encounter marks the first time since their May clash at the Crucible that the pair has once again crossed paths with one another.
Six months ago, when they crossed paths in Sheffield, the “Juddernaut” defeated the Scot by virtue of his sterling performance to record a third straight defeat in succession in a World Final for the “Wizard of Wishaw”.
Since then, the Trump has continued to grow in strength, winning the International Championship in the summer on his way to get back to the top spot in the world rankings.
On the other hand, the Scot hasn’t triumphed in a ranking event for almost two years – not since he won the Welsh Open at Cardiff, Wales in March 2018.
Trump, though, wasn’t at his best but still had more than enough in stock to send Michael Holt packing.
Meanwhile, Holt’s exit meant that Jimmy White had clinched the last available ticket into the prestigious Champion of Champions next week, given the fact that the World Open semi-finals last four have already guaranteed their invite to Coventry.
The Scot enjoyed having the upper hand record and beat Trump four times in succession prior to their last clash.
The other pair for the Semi-finals features Kyren Wilson and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, who both are hoping to claim a second-ranking crown this calendar year.
The “Warrior”, who ended the hopes of the last standing man for home soil – Zhou Yuelong, who has been under the radar this week, has gotten his job done quietly and, as the seeded player, has he will surely fancy his chances of reaching the event climax on Sunday.
However, the mysterious Un-Nooh is certainly in form after his glorious win in the invitational Haining Open last week in China.
The World Open semi-finals will definitely be a suspenseful one, with the two winners set to vie for the hefty £150,000 champion’s cheque up for grab on the final day to the tournament.
Written by: Imisa Aruorihwo