Shaun Murphy edges Judd Trump to reach English Open semi-finals

Shaun Murphy defeated Judd Trump 6-5 to reach the English Open semi-finals, winning a deciding frame after Trump had forced the quarter-final into a final shootout. According to BBC Sport's report, Murphy will next face Mark Williams, while Ding Junhui and Ali Carter completed the last-four line-up with victories over Kyren Wilson and Zhou Yuelong respectively.

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Murphy, ranked seventh in the world, moved within one frame of victory when he took a 5-4 lead. World number three Trump responded with a clearance of 112, levelling the match and leaving both players one frame from the semi-finals. Murphy then came through a tense decider, with his safety play helping him secure the win over his fellow Englishman.

Williams advanced with a 6-3 victory against Welsh compatriot Liam Davies. The pair were tied at 2-2 at the interval before Williams established a lead. Davies mounted a fightback, but Williams ultimately closed out the contest with a clearance of 112. His winning margin contrasted with the deciding-frame finish that settled the other quarter-final in his half of the draw.

Ding's 6-2 win over Wilson followed a strong opening in which the Englishman did not score in any of the first three frames. Wilson answered by taking the next two, cutting Ding's advantage to 3-2 and bringing himself back into contention. The recovery stopped there: Ding won three successive frames to finish the match and claim his semi-final place.

Carter had to recover from a more precarious position against Zhou, who led 5-3 and needed only one further frame. Carter took advantage of a missed routine yellow in the ninth frame, then won the tenth 80-39 to draw level. He controlled the decider to complete a three-frame winning run and a 6-5 comeback victory.

The two semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, with Ding facing Carter first at 12:00 BST. Murphy and Williams follow at 18:00 BST, BBC Sport reported. Murphy enters that meeting after eliminating the higher-ranked Trump, while Carter also remains in the tournament after surviving a quarter-final that went the full distance.