Yesterday saw the semi finals played in the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff and we are in for a good final between Stuart Bingham and Judd Trump. The tournament was strange, with a lot of shocks early on: there were only 3 players within the top 30 in the QFs but, eventually, it’s World n° 2 vs World n°4 in the Final.

Both finalists played well in the semi finals. It’s fair to say that Stuart wasn’t put under any pressure by a rather terribly poor Robert Milkins; the result 6-0 says it all. Judd had to work harder: young Scot Donaldson, who was in his first ever semi final, held himself quite well, especially considering he had never been past the last 16 of any ranking tournament before this week. But as it is, if both finalists play today the way they did yesterday, I can only see a very close match, going to a deciding frame despite Brendan Moore not being in charge (if he was, 9-8 either way would be a certainty!).

Both players had a good season so far: Judd has won a ranking event already, the European Masters, made another final and two semi finals. He will want to win a second ranking title, something he’s never done before in one season. Stuart has already been in 4 semi finals, and two finals but is still to win one this season. And Stuart has another incentive: despite those excellent results: he’s in danger to drop off the top 16 after the Crucible as his points for winning the World Championship in 2015 will come off at that point.

It will be Colin Humphries in the white gloves today. Good luck to him and to both players.

Punditry:

MissingClips

2017 Welsh Open: preview of the Judd Trump – Scott Donaldson match (Eurosport)

2017 Welsh Open: MSI of the Judd Trump – Scott Donaldson match (Eurosport)

2017 Welsh Open: review of the Judd Trump – Scott Donaldson match (Eurosport)

2017 Welsh Open: preview of the Stuart Bingham – Robert Milkins match (Eurosport)

2017 Welsh Open: MSI of the Stuart Bingham – Robert Milkins match (Eurosport)

2017 Welsh Open: review of the Stuart Bingham – Robert Milkins match (Eurosport)