The race to capture the 2026 German Masters crown is heating up with just two more wins separating the last four contenders from glory in Berlin.
One table will be the focus of attention at the iconic Tempodrom from here on out, with a quartet of proven champions still vying for the £100,000 top prize.
Indeed, experience is definitely on display in the German capital city with 75 ranking titles accumulated between the remaining foursome.
Let’s take a look at the two grandstand semi-final showdowns to come on Saturday.
Shaun Murphy vs Neil Robertson
Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy are both on course to land a German Masters title for the first time in their illustrious careers.
The pair of former world champions reached the semi-final stage with resounding 5-1 victories in the last round – Robertson ending the run of Jimmy Robertson and Murphy thumping reigning champion Kyren Wilson.
Both players have already attained silverware from the ongoing campaign, however, and rank in first and third respectively on the provisional one-year rankings list.
Robertson was victorious in the lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters while Murphy emerged victoriously at the British Open.
As heavyweight clashes go, this one is up there as a pretty hefty one, and while there hasn’t been much drama yet in this week’s ranking event, this battle promises to be full of entertainment.
Robertson leads the overall head-to-head 26-16, but interestingly, the winner has gone on to pick up the trophy the last four times they have crossed paths.
The Australian is the second favourite in the outright market at 11/4 while Murphy is 7/2, with more snooker odds available at Incaspin casino and online sportsbook.
When is it? Saturday, 13:00 GMT
Judd Trump vs Ali Carter
With five titles from seven final appearances between them, Judd Trump and Ali Carter are certainly no strangers to doing well in an edition of the German Masters.
One of the duo will be guaranteed to feature again in the title-deciding bout this year after negotiating their way through the early rounds.
Trump, bidding for a fourth German Masters crown but a first title of any kind since late in 2024, overcame Xiao Guodong in the last eight while two-time former winner Carter beat Stuart Bingham.
This match is an important one for the Captain in more ways than one, because not only is he hoping to stay on course to win a seventh career ranking title, he is also attempting to break into the top 16 on the one-year list and qualify for next month’s Players Championship.
Reaching the final would see Carter move above Zhou Yuelong into 16th by a mere £250, although the Players Championship spots won’t be finalised until after the conclusion of next week’s World Grand Prix.
The 46 year-old boasts a strong head-to-head record against Trump, winning almost half of their 29 previous ties in all competitions.
When is it? Saturday, 19:00 GMT
2026 German Masters Schedule
Semi-Finals (bo11)
Matches to be played on Saturday, January 31st
13:00 GMT
Shaun Murphy vs Neil Robertson
19:00 GMT
Judd Trump vs Ali Carter
How to watch the 2026 German Masters
There are several options available to watch the upcoming snooker live, depending on your location.
Many of the popular betting sites provide live streaming of snooker events through signing up on their websites or apps.
Below is a full list of official options, as published on the World Snooker Tour website:
UK & Ireland: TNT Sports, discovery+
Mainland Europe: Eurosport; discovery+ (Germany, Italy, Austria); HBO Max (all other markets)
China: Huya.com, Migu, CBSA-WPBSA Academy (WeChat & Douyin)
Hong Kong China: Now TV
Malaysia & Brunei: Astro Supersport
Taiwan: Sportcast
Thailand: True Sport
Philippines: TAP Sports
All Other Territories: WST Play
Featured photo credit: WST
Happy hunting ground for Judd Trump may be the best opportunity to get back into the winners enclosure. Heavyweight semi finals day lineup however so it really could be any winner.
Murphy was appearing in a 57th ranking semi-final today and Robertson a 56th. What struck me is that from almost an identical number of last four appearances, Robertson (26 ranking titles) has won twice the number of ranking events than Murphy (13 titles).
I remember a period of 4 or 5 seasons about 15 years ago when it seemed like all Murphy was doing was reaching the semi-finals of events and losing. Doesn’t really have that issue any more.