The Champion of Champions is down to the final four with the two semi-finals next up on the schedule in Bolton.
It has been an exciting few days in the prestigious invitational, with Mark Allen, Barry Hawkins, John Higgins, and Judd Trump booking their spots in the last four.
Let’s take a look at both of the upcoming semi-finals in the Champion of Champions.
Judd Trump vs Barry Hawkins
Friday, 7pm UTC
Judd Trump had to wait until day four to get his Champion of Champions campaign started, and he’s straight back into action on Friday.
The in-form Englishman comfortably beat women’s world champion Baipat Siripaporn with a whitewash display on Thursday.
A harder 6-4 victory over Shaun Murphy followed, putting Trump within two wins of repeating his Champion of Champions success from two years ago.
After a red-hot October in which he bagged three ranking titles, the 34 year-old is undoubtedly the best player in the world at present.
Barry Hawkins will be Trump’s opponent in the penultimate round, a frequent match-up during this term.
Hawkins, who reached the Champion of Champions semi-finals with dominant wins over Luca Brecel and Robert Milkins, beat Trump in the European Masters final.
Since then, however, the latter has enacted revenge on Hawkins en route to tournament glories in the Wuhan and Northern Ireland Opens.
Their head-to-head reads 17-14 in Trump’s favour overall, so it’ll be interesting to see how round four of their 2023/24 in-season battle will turn out.
Mark Allen vs John Higgins
Saturday, 7pm UTC
The second semi-final on the Champion of Champions schedule takes place on Saturday evening at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
John Higgins and Mark Allen will duel for the second place in Sunday’s final, where a champion’s cheque worth £150,000 will be on offer.
Higgins was in scintillating form as he emerged comfortably from his quarter of the draw, thrashing Chris Wakelin 4-0 and Ding Junhui 6-1.
Way back on day one, Allen had a similarly straightforward time as he ousted Jimmy White 4-1 and Ali Carter 6-2.
Both of these players are former Champion of Champions, with Higgins triumphing in 2016 and Allen emerging with the silverware behind closed doors four years later.
The last time the pair met was in the Northern Ireland final of 2021, when Allen fought his way back from 8-6 down to win 9-8 – securing a maiden title on home soil.
A lot of their showdowns have been close down through the years, and that fact is reflected in their head-to-head.
Allen boasts the superior record but only just, winning 12 matches to 11 from Higgins in all competitions.
2023 Champion of Champions
Monday (Group 4)
Last 16 (bo7)
Mark Allen 4-1 Jimmy White
Mark Selby 3-4 Ali Carter
Quarter-Final (bo11)
Mark Allen 6-2 Ali Carter
Tuesday (Group 2)
Last 16 (bo7)
Luca Brecel 0-4 Barry Hawkins
Mark Williams 2-4 Robert Milkins
Quarter-Final (bo11)
Barry Hawkins 6-2 Robert Milkins
Wednesday (Group 1)
Last 16 (bo7)
John Higgins 4-0 Chris Wakelin
Ding Junhui 4-3 Zhang Anda
Quarter-Final (bo11)
John Higgins 6-1 Ding Junhui
Thursday (Group 3)
Last 16 (bo7)
Judd Trump 4-0 Baipat Siripaporn
Shaun Murphy 4-1 Gary Wilson
Quarter-Final (bo11)
Judd Trump 6-4 Shaun Murphy
Friday
Semi-Final (bo11)
Barry Hawkins 3-6 Judd Trump
Saturday
Semi-Final (bo11)
John Higgins 2-6 Mark Allen
Sunday
Final (bo19)
Judd Trump 3-10 Mark Allen
Featured photo credit: Taka G Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport
Hawkins and Trump are 4-4 in semis.
Last night was the best match so far. I’d been a little underwhelmed by the first three days in terms of drama and crowds. A big audience last night were really engaged. Trump produced clearances of exceptional skill and poise that underlined his recent comments that he fancies clearing up anytime he comes to the table.
Just a quick one but I don’t think it’s called the University of Bolton stadium any more but the toughsheet stadium.
You’re right, thanks for pointing it out.
I remember when it was the Reebok Stadium after Bolton left Burnden Park!