European Masters snooker: Judd Trump favourite to defend his title after Mark Selby crashes out
Stuart Bingham knocked world champion Mark Selby out of the European Mastersin the quarter-finals - but Judd Trump is favourite to lift the trophy for a second year running.
The back-to-back Sheffield king was beaten by the man he succeeded as world champion in Lommel.
Selby reached the last eight after an unconvincing win over Jack Lisowski and Bingham was in no mood to accommodate him, putting in breaks of 65, 83, 113 and 65 on his way to a 4-2 win.
He will meet Zhou Yuelong after his 4-0 whitewash of Anthony McGill.
Earlier Trump won a final-frame decider against Mark Allen to book his place in the semi-finals.
The seven-time ranking event winner has never defended one of his titles but is a step closer to doing just that in Lommel having lifted this trophy last year in Bucharest by defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan in a thrilling final.
Trump charged into a 3-0 lead against Allen but the Northern Irishman battled back with breaks of 102 and 76 to reduce the deficit to just one frame before winning the next on a black to set up a decider.
Both players had their opportunities, but with the reds well positioned it was Trump who made a break of 70 to clinch the match.
Trump said: "All of the greats have defended a title. For me to be up there with them I need to do these kind of things. Win tournaments twice, win two in a row and get as many titles as possible."
Trump has now won five of his seven meetings with Allen in ranking competition, including the 2011 UK Championship final.
He will next meet Cao Yupeng, who fired in breaks of 76 and 73 during a 4-2 victory over Mark Williams.
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Friday results & Saturday schedule
FRIDAY OCTOBER 6
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals (Best of seven frames)
TV Coverage: Eurosport 1
- Judd Trump 4-3 Mark Allen (QF 1)
- Mark Williams 2-4 Cao Yupeng (QF 2)
Evening Session (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of seven frames)
TV Coverage: Eurosport 1
- Anthony McGill 0-4 Zhou Yuelong (QF 3)
- Stuart Bingham 4-2 Mark Selby (QF 4)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 7
Afternoon Session (1300 BST)
Semi-Final (Best of 11 frames)
TV Coverage: Eurosport 1
- Judd Trump v Cao Yupeng (SF 1)
Evening Session (1900 BST)
Semi-Final (Best of 11 frames)
TV Coverage: Eurosport 1
- Zhou Yuelong vStuart Bingham (SF 2)