Defending champion Judd Trump booked his place in the semi-finals of the UK Championship 2025 with a commanding 6-2 victory over three-time winner Ding Junhui at the York Barbican. The world number one’s performance provided a measure of revenge for his semi-final defeat to Ding two years ago, and extended his run to a third consecutive UK semi-final appearance.

Trump Takes Control After Early Ding Lead

Ding started strongly, compiling breaks of 89 and 83 to race into an early lead. However, Trump regained momentum, reducing the deficit with a run of 73 before taking two scrappy frames. He then cemented his lead with a 91 break, moving ahead 4-2 and demonstrating the precision and timing that have made him a dominant figure in snooker.

Trump, winner of 30 ranking titles, reflected on his performance:
“In the last couple of events I have found the confidence to go for it. It has not been vintage, but the difference this tournament has been timing—when I have needed to make a clearance or pot an important ball, they have been going in.”

“Even though I am not back to my best, I’ve done everything I need to at the crucial times.”

Trump will face Neil Robertson in the semi-finals, a rematch of the 2020 UK Championship final, which Robertson won 10-9 in an epic late-night encounter.

Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby Reach Semi-Finals

In other quarter-final action, Shaun Murphy defeated Zhang Anda 6-3 to reach the UK semi-finals for the first time since 2017. Murphy, who opened 2025 with a Masters victory, now has the chance to claim a second Triple Crown event this year.

Murphy described his performance as far from perfect:
“I am delighted to win, but both of us played under par. I made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes, dropped the rest, miscued, and missed some basic shots. Thankfully I got the win.”

Murphy will face fellow former UK Champion Mark Selby, who overcame Barry Hawkins 6-2. Selby, who won the Champion of Champions last month, demonstrated his trademark matchplay skills with breaks of 61, 115, and 83, underlining why he remains one of the favourites in Yorkshire.

Neil Robertson Survives Pang Junxu Challenge

Australia’s Neil Robertson, a two-time UK Champion (2013, 2015), defeated China’s Pang Junxu 6-4 in a thrilling quarter-final. Pang, making his first appearance at this stage of a Triple Crown event, won the opening frame but made several unforced errors thereafter.

Robertson responded with four consecutive frames before Pang staged an incredible comeback in the seventh, clearing 51 points from a difficult position thanks to a free ball, followed by a 115 break in the eighth. Robertson eventually sealed the match with a 75 break, demonstrating his resilience under pressure.

Semi-Final Line-Up

The UK Championship 2025 semi-finals are now set:

• Judd Trump vs Neil Robertson
• Shaun Murphy vs Mark Selby

With two former champions and two Triple Crown winners in the semi-finals, the tournament promises thrilling snooker action as players vie for the prestigious UK title.