World number one Judd Trump summoned a stunning fightback to defeat China’s Wu Yize 5-4 from 4-0 behind at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
The Ace in the Pack surpassed Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen as world number one by reaching the final of the recent Xi’an Grand Prix. However, with a £500,000 top prize on the line this week, Kyren Wilson, Luca Brecel and Ronnie O’Sullivan can potentially surpass the Englishman.
Trump has been in blistering form so far during this campaign, having won the Shanghai Masters in addition to his run to the Xi’an title match. However, he had looked set for a shock exit today when he trailed 20-year-old Wu 4-0.
However, at that point 2019 World Champion Trump summoned a ruthless blitz to turn the game on its head. Breaks of 56, 101, 61, 89 and 55 gave him five consecutive frames to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It books him a last 16 tie with close friend Jack Lisowski, who beat Jak Jones 5-3.
“When it went to 4-2, I started to really believe in myself again. I played a faultless three or four frames and he didn’t have many chances. It was just about trying to get in first and keep him cold every frame,” said 35-year-old Trump.
“I knew he wasn’t going to give it to me. I had to really go out and turn the match around. After the interval it clicked a little bit. I started to score made a century and fount a bit of inspiration. I felt energy from the crowd and it spurred me on.
“I think it helps having my brother (Jack) here. I feel a sense of responsibility to try my best for him as well. I don’t want him to be sat backstage knowing that I’m giving it away. He has obviously made the effort to come here. I always give it 100 percent. In this tournament, with the expectation of how I’ve played so far to start the season it was nice to turn things around and get the win.”
Although Trump survived, the top 16 players were toppled in five of this afternoon’s eight games.
Xiao Guodong put on a hugely impressive display to thrash world number two Mark Allen 5-1, while Scott Donaldson was a 5-1 victor against Barry Hawkins. They now face each other in the last 16.
However, 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy put on a strong performance to secure a 5-2 win over Yuan Sijun. He now faces Elliot Slessor, who scored a shock 5-3 win over Ali Carter.
Murphy said: “I’m delighted with that. It is a massive tournament. You have a privilege as a top 16 player to come in at this stage and it would have been a shame to waste that. You are on a hiding to nothing in though as if you win you are supposed to and if you lose it is a massive shock. I have nothing but admiration for Yuan, I think he is a fine young player.
“There is no getting away from it. The financial pressures are there and there are very few players competing today where this sort of money doesn’t matter to them. I’m certainly not one of them. I think there is also the pressure of being expected to win though.”
Neil Robertson continued his resurgence with a 5-3 win over Mark Selby. He now plays Scottish and Welsh Open Champion Gary Wilson, who beat David Gilbert 5-2.
Ronnie O’Sullivan got his campaign underway at the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters with a 5-1 demolition of China’s Lei Peifan.
A day of shocks has seen nine of the top 16 seeds fall at their first hurdle. However, it was a straightforward evening’s work for the Rocket, who eased to victory with breaks of 59, 103, 93 and 131 during the win.
Next up for the 41-time ranking event winner is a last 16 meeting with Zhang Anda, who produced a stunning display to beat Ben Woollaston 5-0.
The Chinese cueman crafted three runs of 138, a 128 break and a 50 on his way to an emphatic win. He only conceded 15 points during the match.
O’Sullivan stated that he wasn’t shocked by the number of top 16 players to bow out today. However, he was glowing with praise for the snooker experience in Riyadh.
“It’s an amazing event and the venue is great. It is fantastic to be a part of this tournament,” said seven-time World Champion O’Sullivan.
“I’m not surprised by any results these days. On their day, anyone can play well and score heavily. The players that have come through and had a few matches are probably more used to the table conditions. If they get a quick start then the seeds are under pressure. The guys coming through are so good that if they have a lead they can close the match out.”
World Champion Kyren Wilson kept in the hunt for his second piece of silverware this season with a 5-3 win over Liu Hongyu.
After claiming maiden Crucible glory in May, Wilson got his new season off to a rocky start when he suffered a 6-0 whitewash defeat against Zhou Yuelong at the Shanghai Masters.
However, the Warrior bounced back in style at last month’s Xi’an Grand Prix, beating Judd Trump in the final to secure his seventh ranking title. He now faces English compatriot Jimmy Robertson in the last 16.
“Winning my first event as World Champion has taken a lot of the pressure off me for the majority of the season,” said 32-year-old Wilson.
“It has been crazy. The two events I’ve won this year have been the biggest on my CV in terms of prize money. I’m really enjoying my snooker and really enjoying seeing new territories. Long may it continue.”
(Jimmy) Robertson scored his third consecutive victory over four-time World Champion John Higgins, registering a magnificent 5-2 win to reach the last 16.
Mark Williams summoned his best snooker at the crucial moment, as he scored a 5-4 win over Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. The Welshman crafted a match winning 101 in the decider to clinch victory and a last 16 meeting with Stuart Bingham.
Essex cueman Bingham edged a thrilling encounter with Ding Junhui 5-4, which had an incredible ending. Ding had the first chance in the final frame, but his break ended when his tip came off and hit a red. Bingham stepped up and made 63 to win the match.
Si Jiahui beat Tom Ford 5-2, while Pang Junxu defeated Luca Brecel by the same scoreline. The Chinese pair will do battle in the last 16.
The fact that nine of the sixteen “top seeds” went out yesterday just shows, once again, that the tiered system is actually helping the lower ranked players. Yes, they have to win more matches, but hey start with easier matches, and when they come against the top seeds, they have already secured some money and ranking points. They are already used to the conditions. The pressure is firmly on the seeds … and it showed. And for the younger players, having the opportunity to play more matches is helping their development as they gain experience.
Here are the scores for Ronnie’s match:
And some images shared by WST (including on Weibo)
As well as some videos shared on YouTube by Eurosport
The only match I watched in the afternoon, was Mark Selby v Neil Robertson. Neil Robertson is playing well again but I also had the feeling throughout that Mark Selby isn’t in a good place mentally at the moment.
6 thoughts on “Day 5 at the 2025 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters – Ronnie wins his opening match”
And in the blink of an eye Trump is 2 behind Higgins!!
How significant could that comeback from Trump turn out to be with Higgins going out…
Btw it’s absolutely incredible that Williams as a class of 92 member is only on half the centuries than what ROS is on.
At the start of his career Willo was not interested in making centuries at all. Quite often, when the frame was won, he pushed some ball(s) safe, pushing his opponent to concede.
The shorter format (best of 9) must also be a help for the lower ranked players compared to the best of 19 in the World Championship. There is far less possibilty to turn around a deficit in such a short format for a player unaccoustumed to the playing conditions.
Yes, and the same thing happened in the World Championship in 2021, when the L48 matches were best-of-11. The seeded players came in cold and many were ambushed. The following year it reverted to best-of-19.
I’m sure there would have been some strong words about the issue had Trump lost, and perhaps a different format planned for next year. They have the capacity for best-of-11, with 16 matches on 8 tables.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
And in the blink of an eye Trump is 2 behind Higgins!!
How significant could that comeback from Trump turn out to be with Higgins going out…
Btw it’s absolutely incredible that Williams as a class of 92 member is only on half the centuries than what ROS is on.
At the start of his career Willo was not interested in making centuries at all. Quite often, when the frame was won, he pushed some ball(s) safe, pushing his opponent to concede.
The shorter format (best of 9) must also be a help for the lower ranked players compared to the best of 19 in the World Championship. There is far less possibilty to turn around a deficit in such a short format for a player unaccoustumed to the playing conditions.
Yes, and the same thing happened in the World Championship in 2021, when the L48 matches were best-of-11. The seeded players came in cold and many were ambushed. The following year it reverted to best-of-19.
I’m sure there would have been some strong words about the issue had Trump lost, and perhaps a different format planned for next year. They have the capacity for best-of-11, with 16 matches on 8 tables.