Welsh Open 2017: Judd Trump beats Barry Hawkins in final frame to reach semi-final - BBC Sport
World number four Judd Trump edges past Barry Hawkins to reach the semi-finals of the Welsh Open in Cardiff.
Last updated on .From the section Snooker

World number four Judd Trump edged into the Welsh Open semi-finals after Barry Hawkins missed match-ball in the deciding frame in Cardiff on Friday.

Trump beat his fellow Englishman 5-4 and goes on to face Scotland's 77th-ranked Scott Donaldson, who beat Zhou Yuelong of China 5-0.

Hawkins had fought back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, before Trump clinched the last two frames for victory.

Stuart Bingham will face Robert Milkins in Saturday's other semi-final.

World number two Bingham was 4-0 up on fellow Englishman Stuart Carrington in their quarter-final before the latter won three consecutive frames.

However, Bingham recovered to clinch the match 5-3 and will play Milkins on Saturday evening after the world number 32 saw off Kurt Maflin 5-2.

Hawkins, leading by 24 points in the deciding frame, missed match-ball yellow against Trump that would have secured a semi-final spot.

Trump continues the hunt for his first Welsh Open crown and second ranking title of the season, having won the European Masters in October.

"I am still in a bit of shock because I thought it was all over when I left him the yellow," he said. "He seemed to hit it well, but somehow it stayed out.

"Sometimes you play well and lose and today I didn't play very well and managed to get through. There is a lot of skill in snooker, but you need a bit of luck."

Donaldson, 22, who will play Trump in Saturday afternoon's semi-final, had never previously been beyond the last 16 of a ranking event.

He is already guaranteed £20,000 - the biggest pay day of his career.

"I have been playing a lot of TV matches recently and I think that helped me," said the Scot, who turned pro in 2012.

"I have been pleased for about a year now with my game, I can't pinpoint why, maybe it's confidence.

"I will go back to the hotel and calm myself down and get ready for the next match."

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