Masters 2023: Judd Trump beats Barry Hawkins, Stuart Bingham crushes Shaun Murphy
- Published
Judd Trump won the Masters in 2019
2023 Cazoo Masters |
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Venue: Alexandra Palace, London Dates: 8 January -15 January |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV and Red Button with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app |
Former champion Judd Trump came from behind to beat Barry Hawkins 6-5 and reach the semi-finals of the Masters.
Both players made numerous errors in a scrappy contest, but it was Trump who held himself together to progress.
The pair shared a century apiece and had traded frames at 4-4, Hawkins took the next but Trump's ton forced a decider before he claimed the victory.
In Saturday's semi-final, Trump will face English compatriot Stuart Bingham, who crushed Shaun Murphy 6-0.
Bingham, winner in 2020, was in blistering form, compiling breaks of 78, 128, 107 and closing out with 65 to claim a flawless victory.
Bingham said: "He was lucky to get nil, how well I played. An unbelievable performance. I felt nervous before the game but the first frame settled me down and I went from strength to strength.
"This tournament brings the best out of me, it is definitely good coming back to a venue where you know you have done the business."
In the other semi-final, Mark Williams takes on Jack Lisowski, live across the BBC from 13:00 GMT.
Trump feeling the nerves
Earlier on Friday, Hawkins stroked in 110 and Trump made 69 as the first four frames were shared, but the out-of-sorts 2019 champion was punished as he fell 4-3 behind.
Trump, 33, responded by scoring a sublime 143 - a joint-highest break of the tournament - but 43-year-old Hawkins moved one frame away from victory, helped by a fluked red into the middle pocket.
Trump refused to be beaten and dug in with a cool 107 to take the match all the way, sealing progression with a nerveless 81 break.
A delighted Trump told BBC Two: "I needed to go 4-3 down with a bit of pressure to come alive. The crowd is so good, it is amazing to be involved here, the louder the crowd gets the more I want to play well.
"Both games I have felt so bad and nervous beforehand, that is the only reason I am not playing well - nerves. I seemed to relax, get control and felt my best towards the end."
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, working as a BBC sport pundit, added: "A sign of a true great and a world class player is to produce the best snooker when you have your back against the wall. The frames he won at the end of the match were magnificent."
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