Snooker Results Today: Trump Edges Murphy in a Classic, While Robertson, Higgins and Zhao Book Their Semi-Final Spots at the Tour Championship

Manchester Central has served up some absolute epics this week, but last night’s quarter-final action at the Tour Championship brought the house down. If you’ve been waiting to catch up on the snooker results today, you’re in for a treat. Four players punched their tickets to the semis, but the journey was a lot smoother for some than others. We saw a Chinese sensation firing on all cylinders, a Scottish warrior refusing to throw in the towel, and a nail-biter that went all the way to a final-frame decider.

Let’s face it, this is the snooker results today review you actually want to read. No fluff, just the drama from the baize.

Zhao Xintong 10-4 Chris Wakelin: The Cyclone Hits Manchester

If you’re looking for a guide to snooker results today on how to dismantle a top-16 opponent, just cue up the replay of Zhao Xintong. The 2023 Crucible king looks utterly unstoppable right now. Facing a gritty competitor like Chris Wakelin, Zhao delivered a masterclass in raw, aggressive potting. He rattled off five centuries – 103, 120, 134, 108 and 101 – plus four more breaks over 50. A 134 in the 11th frame was pure highlight-reel stuff.

Wakelin fought hard, taking the first frame of the evening session, but Zhao just kept turning the screw. From 8-4, he never looked back, sealing the 10-4 victory with a century. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. He’s my tip to go all the way.

John Higgins 10-8 Mark Selby: The Wizard Works His Magic

How do you use snooker results today to understand resilience? Just look at John Higgins. At 50, the Wizard of Wishaw showed he’s still got the heart of a lion. He faced Mark Selby, a man who feeds on opponents’ mistakes. Selby looked set to run away with it, fighting back from 5-3 down to lead 8-5. The Jester from Leicester was cueing beautifully, and the crowd feared the worst for the Scot.

But Higgins simply refused to buckle. He didn’t have a single century, but he didn’t need one. He ground out five consecutive 50+ breaks to win five frames on the bounce. Ten seconds after potting the final black to make it 10-8, he punched the air with a roar that shook the stands. Vintage Higgins. Pure class.

Judd Trump 10-9 Shaun Murphy: The Ace in the Hole

This was the one everyone stayed up for, and thank goodness they did. Judd Trump vs. Shaun Murphy had it all. The highest break of the tournament so far – a 140 from Trump – followed by Murphy’s steely 96 to force a decider.

The deciding frame was tense. Murphy got in first, knocking in a 31, but then missed a tricky blue. That’s all Trump needs. One look. The Ace potted a ridiculous long red and cleared up with a 59 to snatch the 10-9 victory. It also broke his personal hoodoo of nine straight losses in deciders. Massive, massive win.

Neil Robertson 10-8 Barry Hawkins: The Thunder from Down Under

Barry Hawkins has a reputation as a giant-killer, and for a while, he lived up to it. After trailing 5-3, Hawkins won four on the spin to lead 7-5. Robertson looked rattled, even smashing his cue in frustration at one point. But the “Melbourne Machine” rebooted his software just in time. He dug deep, won the crucial 16th frame on the black, and held his nerve to take the next two. A gritty 10-8 win sets up a cracking semi-final against Trump.

So, what have we learned from the snooker results today? The old guard isn’t finished yet, and the new generation is breathing fire. Here’s how the semis are shaping up:

• Judd Trump vs. Neil Robertson: Two former World Champions and heavyweights. Expect centuries. Expect drama. Don’t blink.
• Zhao Xintong vs. John Higgins: Flamboyant youth vs. wily experience. If Zhao keeps scoring like this, Higgins will need another miracle. But if anyone can stop him, the Wizard can.

Stay tuned for live updates from Manchester Central. If tonight is anything like last night, we’re in for an absolute belter of a weekend.