Shaun Murphy beats Judd Trump in final-frame decider at English Open

When the final yellow ball dropped into the pocket, Shaun Murphy breathed a sigh of relief. He had just defeated Judd Trump 6-5 in the English Open quarter-final, a match where the 2026 world champion found himself on the brink before securing victory with a deft safety play in the deciding frame. The match unfolded with an emotional script. Murphy, the world number 7, surged to a 5-4 lead over Trump, the world number 3. But Trump, with the composure of a champion, responded with a 112 clearance to level at 5-5, forcing the match into a decider. In the tense final frame, Murphy displayed incredible calm with precise safety shots, leaving Trump with no opportunity to finish. This was one of the best matches of the tournament, where defensive skill was placed above all else. Murphy did not need a century in the deciding frame, but he controlled the entire situation with intelligent safety tactics. This demonstrates that at the highest level, winning comes not only from scoring ability but also from patience and mental fortitude. In another development, Mark Williams, the veteran Welsh player, continued to prove his enduring quality by defeating Liam Davies 6-3. Williams, a member of the 'Class of 75', delivered an outstanding performance with a 112 clearance in the final frame to seal the match. Although Davies surprised by leveling at 2-2 during the interval, Williams' experience helped him pull ahead in the subsequent frames. Ding Junhui, China's number one player, also advanced to the semi-finals with a convincing 6-2 victory over Kyren Wilson. However, the match was not as easy as the scoreline suggested. Wilson failed to score in the first three frames, allowing Ding to take an early lead. Despite Wilson's efforts to reduce the deficit to 3-2, Ding regained his focus and won three consecutive frames to close out the match. The most dramatic quarter-final was Ali Carter's comeback against Zhou Yuelong. Zhou, the young Chinese player, led 5-3 and was one frame away from victory. But at a critical moment, Zhou missed a routine yellow ball, handing Carter an opportunity to return. Carter capitalized on this mistake, winning three consecutive frames to complete an impressive 6-5 comeback. Zhou Yuelong's collapse at a crucial moment is a worrying signal for this player. Although his talent is undeniable, repeating similar mistakes in important matches suggests that psychological issues are the biggest obstacle for him. Meanwhile, Carter showed admirable fighting spirit, a quality that has helped him reach two world championship finals. Overall, this year's English Open quarter-finals were a showcase of match-closing ability, not break-building. Of the four matches, two went to deciding frames, and century clearances appeared at the most critical moments. This shows that at the highest level, the difference between victory and defeat lies in the ability to maintain composure and execute precisely under pressure. The semi-finals will see Ding Junhui face Ali Carter, while Murphy will meet Williams. With current form, all four players have a chance to win the title. But based on what happened in the quarter-finals, the ability to close out matches will be the deciding factor. Can Murphy maintain his composure? Can Williams use his experience to overcome younger opponents? And can Ding avoid the wobbles he has shown before? The answers will come this weekend.