“Live Blog Kealan Hughes, Digital Sports Reporter Updated: 22:56, 21 Mar 2025 WE’RE into the final stages in Telford as the Players Championship comes to an end on SUNDAY! Reigning world champion Kyren Wilson became the tournament’s first finalist as edged past an in-form Neil Robertson despite trailing for much of the night. Earlier, John”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
- Kealan Hughes, Digital Sports Reporter
- Updated: 22:56, 21 Mar 2025
Reigning world champion Kyren Wilson became the tournament’s first finalist as edged past an in-form Neil Robertson despite trailing for much of the night.
Earlier, John Higgins fought back to win the last three frames against Xiao Guodong on Friday afternoon to book his place in the semi-final.
He will play world snooker No 1 Judd Trump in Saturday’s semi-final – Trump dominated Shaun Murphy on Thursday with an incredible 525-40 whitewash win.
- Start times: 12pm / 7pm GMT
- TV channel: ITV4
- FREE live stream: ITVX
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Wilson reactsIt is all about digging in, and at 4-1 I had to do that.
“It is great to keep having these opportunities, but it is not easy to keep dusting yourself down when you lose a close one.” -
Robertson 5-6 WilsonWow oh wow!
What a way to finish! Kyren Wilson, take a bow.
It’s a superb victory from 4-1 down to win 6-5 at the death.
And how to do it in such epic style… a 134 break!
A Fitting way to bring down the curtain on an epic.
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Robertson 5-5 WilsonEarly mistake from Robertson let Wilson in. Terrible safety blunder there.
Wilson then had the opportunity to build on his score, and he did that with some force.
It wasn’t a ton, but 89 isn’t too shoddy at this stage.
We go to a decider in this thriller.
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Robertson 5-4 WilsonRobertson’s break of 56 edged him ahead.
However, Wilson then had a chance – needing two reds, blacks, and all the colours to force a re-spot on the black.
Incredibly, we did have a re-spot on the black.
But, Wilson messed up – with the white going in off the black to the right centre.
Robertson needs one frame now.
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Robertson 4-4 WilsonAnd we have a level game!
Wilson makes four frames each, and now we’re down to a best of three.
Wilson doesn’t like losing, and he’s doing his best not to here.
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Robertson 4-3 WilsonOoh, what a swing!
Again, Robertson misses a red – this time a routine one – to let Wilson clean up.
Four more frames remaining – which way is this going?
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Robertson 4-2 WilsonThis match is really in the balance now.
Wilson responds with a brilliant 116 break.
What a knock there. But it’s worth noting a Robertson miss let him in.
It could have been so different.
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Robertson 4-1 WilsonRobertson has now opened up a three frame lead!
Again, no ton but a 73 break is nothing to shirk at.
The Aussie’s in a commanding position.
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Robertson 3-1 WilsonA scrappy fourth frame – but Wilson came out on top.
A long red, followed by a green, and he then needed all colours.
But, Wilson had to double the black to win the frame. He missed, but left it safe.
He returned with a more aggressive double this time, and left it open for Robertson to clip the black into the left middle.
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Robertson 2-1 WilsonWell, Wilson’s not going to take this laying down,
He’s coming out firing on all cylinders – a break of 78 sees him win the third set.
Wilson pulls it back to 1-2. This is going to be a tight affair.
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Robertson 2-0 WilsonThis should’ve been Wilson’s, and he knows it!
A red stayed out when he was on 16, allowing Robertson to build.
And build he did! The Aussie notches an 83 break.
No century this time – but a 2-0 lead.
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Robertson 1-0 WilsonThe crowd erupts as Robertson puts on a masterclass in the opener.
He was potting balls with ease, and looked very comfortable out there.
A ton break will serve him well to start this match.
If Wilson didn’t know he’s in a game, he does now.
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And we’re offRobertson and Wilson get underway.
The Aussie makes a flying start – racing to 24, before missing a red.
Wilson at the table to capitalise?
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More from HigginsHiggins also admitted he will lose the adrenalin rush when he hangs up his cue.
“That’s what I will miss when I retire from the game.
“That pressure moment at 5-5 when you have a chance to win the match.
“You cannot replicate that any other time. It only happens in snooker, in crunch matches, in the business end of tournaments.
“You cannot replicate the adrenalin rush you get. That’s one thing I will definitely miss when I retire from all of this.
“I cannot wait to play Judd. It will be a packed room. I will be a big second favourite.
“I will go there relaxed, knowing I have to play well to have a chance of winning.
“Listen, it’s brilliant, I cannot wait to give it my all and enjoy the occasion against Judd.”
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Higgins reactionAs you are winning frame by frame, you are thinking the pressure is maybe getting to Xiao a bit.
“I feel my game is there, but I’ve just been running out of position and scrapping away. Xiao will be devastated as he looked great at 5-2, but didn’t get a split on reds. It just shows what happens when you are on a bit of a run.”John HigginsITV
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Next upWhile Higgins has roared into the semi-final, we’ve already got our first semi coming up next!
From 7pm, Neil Robertson and Kyren Wilson will do battle. It promises to be a cracker.
Here’s how they stack up.
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Higgins 6-5 XiaoAstonishing fightback from Higgins.
From 5-2 down, the Scot won four frames on the bounce.
The latest frame – a closing break of 51 pushed him over the line.
He’ll meet Judd Trump next in the semi on Saturday night.
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Higgins 5-5 XiaoWould you believe it?
We’re heading for a decided, as Higgins sensationally levels things up.
Xiao’s costly miss on the final red let the Scot finish the frame off.
That red, then a blue and we’re going to an 11th frame.
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Higgins 4-5 XiaoXiao looked in control, until missing a red that was obscured by the black.
A 41 to finish the frame off from Higgins, and he’s now within one.
Not home and dry yet, Xiao.
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Higgins 3-5 XiaoHiggins is battling to stay alive in this match, and was given an opportunity after Xiao called a foul on himself for a push shot.
And my how he responded!
A break of 70 to take the frame in a first to six contest.
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Higgins 2-5 XiaoIt takes him a while but Xiao gets across the line in the seventh frame to move within one of victory.
Xiao will now face a test of nerves to get the job done.
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Higgins 2-4 XiaoXiao is back in control which sums up this match. Every time Higgins gets a look in Xiao slams the door shut once again.
However this frame is very much up for grabs with Xiao 32-0 in front.
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Higgins 2-4 XiaoSuperb response from Higgins. It was a massive frame and if he was feeling the pressure it certainly did not show.
He picked off the reds one by one and although he did not have the greatest luck, Higgins made sure he opportunity did not go to waste.
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Higgins 1-4 XiaoXiao races away with the frame and he is threatening to do the same with the match as a whole.
Terrific display so far and it is difficult to see Higgins coming back to this even with all his experience.
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Higgins 1-3 XiaoWe’re back underway. Higgins will need to come out firing here as this next frame is crucial.
Lost and the Scot faces a huge task to progress.