Pang Junxu marched into the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Open with a nerveless 5-4 defeat of English Open hero Neil Robertson in Belfast.
At the end of a terrific tussle in which Robertson could never quite shake off his younger opponent, Pang belied his inexperience, producing a steely clearance of 85 to take the match to a deciding frame before finishing the job with a 129 total clearance.
Pang displayed impressive reliance as early as early as the fourth frame, a missed green when a couple of pots from the winning line in frame three quickly brushed off as he levelled with a run of 87.
And that proved to be the story of the match, Robertson twice poking his nose in front again to lead 3-2 and 4-3, only to be pegged back by Pang who just refused to be beaten.
Terrific win over Neil Robertson for 50/1 outright selection Pang Junxu who progresses to the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Open.
— Richard Mann (@Richard_Mann11) October 25, 2024
Things sure to get tougher, but one more win needed for each-way returns. https://t.co/5tZ8jZGxTw
He did need a slice of good fortune, Robertson unlucky when losing position following a split into the pack on 40 in frame 10, which Pang ruthlessly took advantage of.
But Pang's match-winning clearance was all class, suggesting he might yet prove a match for Kyren Wilson on Saturday afternoon, the world champion having overpowered Mark Williams 5-1 in their meeting.
"I'm very happy to have won," Pang told World Snooker Tour.
"Being able to seize the opportunity and clear the table in the deciding frame feels really great. I tried not to overthink and just focused on playing, capitalising on Neil's mistakes.
"I generally don’t get influenced by the crowd - once I’m immersed in the game, there’s no pressure, and I feel quite comfortable with that."
Trump thrashes Murphy
Judd Trump felt his ability to read body language helped him to a 5-1 victory over Shaun Murphy.
Trump edged the first frame 63-62 and, after being pulled back to 1-1, sprinted away from Murphy with brilliant breaks of 128 and 125 in the fourth and fifth frames.
"The first frame was massive," Trump told Eurosport. "I managed to nick that one to settle into the game because he looked sharp at the start.
"It’s just something I’m able to do at the moment. I can recognise when I’m in danger and get myself out of it.
"I think I’m very good at reading body language. I can see how they feel immediately, he was confident and up for that game.
"He looked very sharp and, if he’d won that first frame and made a break, I could easily have been 2-0 down. It’s so important to nick those close frames."
Just an incredible performance from @juddtrump - again. You simply can’t beat someone when they play like that.
— Shaun Murphy (@Magician147) October 25, 2024
Thank you to everyone at @WeAreWST @BetVictor and @eurosport for helping to make it such a great event, and thank you to everyone who came and the amazing amount of…
Trump is a four-time winner of the Northern Ireland Open having lifted the trophy in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023.
On his Belfast success, Trump said: "It’s nice to have an actual arena, not a leisure centre or like a warehouse feel.
"I just look forward to coming to places like this. I just get excited when I know this tournament is around the corner.
"I’ve got an excellent record here and it’s a place I love coming to."
Trump’s semi-final opponent at the Waterfront Hall will be Elliot Slessor, who overcame fellow Englishman Louis Heathcote 5-1.
