The English Open semi-final lineup consists of four players who are ranked outside the world’s top 16 after a day of upsets on Friday.
Defending champion Judd Trump, former winner Mark Selby, and world number three Mark Allen all exited the competition at the quarter-final stage.
While one semi-final fixture still boasts two players with experience of winning titles at this level, the other last-four contest will guarantee a maiden ranking event finalist.
Let’s take a look at both semi-final matches in the 2024 English Open, with the remaining contenders still challenging for the ยฃ100,000 top prize in Brentwood.
Wu Yize vs Ishpreet Singh Chadha
World number one Judd Trump wasn’t quite at the races this week and was finally made to pay for it following a strong performance from Wu Yize.
The 20 year-old from China matched his previous best run in a ranking event by beating Trump 5-3, inflicting only a second defeat for the latter this season.
Wu will encounter Ishpreet Singh Chadha for a berth in Sunday’s final, with the Indian possessing even less experience at this stage of a competition.
Singh Chadha held his nerve superbly well when it mattered the most during his tense quarter-final affair with Mark Selby.
The 28 year-old, playing only his second term as a professional, watched as Selby fought back from 4-1 down before gaining the ascendancy in the deciding frame.
But Singh Chadha, ranked number 77 in the world, produced a gutsy clearance at the very end to deny the former world champion on the final black.
The former professional esports player has faced Wu once before, suffering a 4-0 reverse to the Chinese cueist in the first round of this same tournament a year ago.
This clash has a lot more on the line, and it’ll be interesting to see which player can seize the opportunity to go all the way to the final.
Chris Wakelin vs Neil Robertson
Even though there have been several shocks, the second English Open semi-final tie on Saturday still features one of the sport’s heavyweights.
Neil Robertson hasn’t been challenging for much silverware in the last couple of years, but he has slowly been building his confidence back up in recent months.
The Australian hasn’t reached a ranking event final since April in 2022 but, considering the quartet that’s left, will be an overwhelming favourite to seal glory from here.
Robertson will meet Chris Wakelin in the penultimate round after the Englishman defeated Mark Allen 5-2.
Wakelin has represented a much improved player over the last couple of seasons, winning the 2023 Shoot Out and reaching the final of last year’s Northern Ireland Open.
The 32 year-old has beaten Robertson once before – a 5-4 success at the 2023 German Masters – but has generally struggled in previous outings with the former world number one.
English Open success for either Robertson or Wakelin this weekend would see one of them jump into the top 16 of the world rankings.
Many would feel that is precisely where a player of Robertson’s calibre belongs.
Saturday’s English Open schedule
Semi-Finals
1pm UTC+1
Wu Yize vs Ishpreet Singh Chadha
7pm UTC+1
Chris Wakelin vs Neil Robertson
Click here to view the full draw.
Featured photo credit: WST
To call anyone an overwhelming favourite this week is a bold move! He’s certainly the more likely winner but I’ve felt Wu Yize is a potential champion in waiting given his swift progress since turning pro. While Chris Wakelin is becoming more familiar with the latter stages of tournaments.
A final win for either Wakelin or Robertson would bring to an end John Higgins record unbroken run of just over 29 years in the top 16.
I meant more in betting terms, he’s 4/7 with bet365 and Wu 7/2. But yes, you have a point. I wouldn’t be putting my mortgage on him.
I understand the bookies odds but he’s not won an individual event for over two years. According to Dave Hendon, Wu Yize is the 14th Chinese player to reach a ranking final.