The English Open semi-final lineup consists of 4 gamers who’re ranked outdoors the world’s prime 16 after a day of upsets on Friday.
Defending champion Judd Trump, former winner Mark Selby, and world quantity three Mark Allen all exited the competitors on the quarter-final stage.
Whereas one semi-final fixture nonetheless boasts two gamers with expertise of profitable titles at this degree, the opposite last-four contest will assure a maiden rating occasion finalist.
Let’s check out each semi-final matches within the 2024 English Open, with the remaining contenders nonetheless difficult for the £100,000 prime prize in Brentwood.
Wu Yize vs Ishpreet Singh Chadha
World primary Judd Trump wasn’t fairly on the races this week and was lastly made to pay for it following a robust efficiency from Wu Yize.
The 20 year-old from China matched his earlier finest run in a rating occasion by beating Trump 5-3, inflicting solely a second defeat for the latter this season.
Wu will encounter Ishpreet Singh Chadha for a berth in Sunday’s remaining, with the Indian possessing even much less expertise at this stage of a contest.
Singh Chadha held his nerve fantastically nicely when it mattered essentially the most throughout his tense quarter-final affair with Mark Selby.
The 28 year-old, taking part in solely his second time period as knowledgeable, watched as Selby fought again from 4-1 down earlier than gaining the ascendancy within the deciding body.
However Singh Chadha, ranked quantity 77 on this planet, produced a gutsy clearance on the very finish to disclaim the previous world champion on the ultimate black.
The previous skilled esports participant has confronted Wu as soon as earlier than, struggling a 4-0 reverse to the Chinese language cueist within the first spherical of this similar event a yr in the past.
This conflict has much more on the road, and it’ll be fascinating to see which participant can seize the chance to go all the best way to the ultimate.
Chris Wakelin vs Neil Robertson
Despite the fact that there have been a number of shocks, the second English Open semi-final tie on Saturday nonetheless options one of many sport’s heavyweights.
Neil Robertson hasn’t been difficult for a lot silverware within the final couple of years, however he has slowly been constructing his confidence again up in current months.
The Australian hasn’t reached a rating occasion remaining since April in 2022 however, contemplating the quartet that’s left, can be an amazing favorite to seal glory from right here.
Robertson will meet Chris Wakelin within the penultimate spherical after the Englishman defeated Mark Allen 5-2.
Wakelin has represented a a lot improved participant during the last couple of seasons, profitable the 2023 Shoot Out and reaching the ultimate of final yr’s Northern Eire Open.
The 32 year-old has crushed Robertson as soon as earlier than – a 5-4 success on the 2023 German Masters – however has typically struggled in earlier outings with the previous world primary.
English Open success for both Robertson or Wakelin this weekend would see certainly one of them soar into the highest 16 of the world rankings.
Many would really feel that’s exactly the place a participant of Robertson’s calibre belongs.
Saturday’s English Open schedule
Semi-Finals
1pm UTC+1
Wu Yize vs Ishpreet Singh Chadha
7pm UTC+1
Chris Wakelin vs Neil Robertson
Click on right here to view the complete draw.
Featured photograph credit score: WST
