The semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship begin on Thursday afternoon – Richard Mann delivers his verdict on the two blockbuster ties.
Snooker betting tips: World Championship semi-finals
1.5pts Shaun Murphy to lead after eight frames against John Higgins at 11/8 (betway)
2pts Mark Allen to beat Wu Yize at 13/10 (General)
Shaun Murphy v John Higgins
- Thursday 13:00
- Sky Bet match odds: Murphy 8/11, Higgins 11/10
John Higgins will walk out into the Crucible Theatre for his 12th World Championship semi-final on Thursday afternoon.
Father Time would suggest that realistically, this might be Higgins' last chance to savour the famous one-table set-up at the Crucible in a match that gives him a shot at making a ninth world final.
What we are currently witnessing on the table would suggest something different, the 50-year-old Scot capping another strong campaign with a wonderful run in Sheffield that has included victories over Ronnie O'Sullivan and Neil Robertson.
Higgins was devastating in the latter part of his match with O'Sullivan, producing a stunning burst of big breaks in the final session, whereas it was more grit, determination and match-craft that helped him outpoint Robertson.
He'll start his semi-final with Shaun Murphy as marginal underdog, which is understandable. For all Higgins has maintained a high level of form all season, he was a relative no-show in two of the three finals he has contested, including at the Masters. He lost all three.
There is a nagging doubt as to whether he will be able to keep delivering big performances towards the end of what is always such a sapping stamina test in Sheffield, and his encounter with Robertson went late on Wednesday evening, that before his post-match media duties.
To that end, it feels like Murphy will start with a slight advantage, having wrapped up his victory Zhao Xintong before 17:00 on Wednesday, and he enjoyed a smoother ride in the last-16, too, beating Xiao Guodong 13-3, while Higgins traded punches with old sparing partner O'Sullivan in a match that went the distance.
One slight criticism of Higgins this season is that he hasn't always won enough frames in one visit, but I think he showed when putting together three centuries and a break of 88 in his match with O'Sullivan that he still has that in his locker.
His safety game and willingness to scrap and fight has never been in question, and his long game has been terrific in Sheffield. I note, too, that Higgins has backed his long potting throughout, never once shying away from the big shot.
Murphy will do the same, and his own long game was ultimately the difference in the last session of his huge win over Zhao. His break-building, which has always been a strength, was again very impressive.
There is a risk that Murphy will struggle to reset having cut the head off the king in the quarter-finals, but I don't get that sense. Murphy looks sharp, confident in his game, and highly motivated.
Respect between the pair will be guaranteed. Higgins has been world champion four times already, and Murphy is a modern-day giant who would surely push himself towards greatness were he to go all the way for a second time, so long after his first world title.
Whatever the outcome of a match to savour, Higgins has lost the first session of every match at this tournament. Murphy, on the other hand, led after eight frames in each of the last two rounds.
With Higgins' late finish on Wednesday also factored in, backing MURPHY TO LEAD AFTER EIGHT FRAMES makes obvious appeal. (Preview by Richard Mann)
Mark Allen v Wu Wize
- Thursday 19:00
- Sky Bet match odds: Allen 5/4, Wu 8/13
Thursday's second semi-final presents a real clash of styles, with the experienced, all-round excellence of MARK ALLEN coming up against wildly-talented rookie Wu Yize.
Allen has moulded himself into one of the toughest competitors in the sport, a never-say die winner whose safety play has few peers, and someone who loves to battle and scrap for every point.
His CV features 12 ranking titles in a highly-decorated career, including the UK Championship. Having won the Masters in 2018, victory in Sheffield would see him complete the Triple Crown.
Wu, in contrast, is just starting out on his road, but a maiden ranking win at the International Championship showcased his brilliant potting and break-building prowess, and he dismantled John Higgins in the final that week.
Both men arrived in Sheffield with questions to answer. Allen admitted to have lost confidence in his game and wanting to get back to his natural style of play, while Wu's all-out attack approach didn't promise to last the distance in the multiple-session matches when coming up against tactically astute opponents.
Allen has slowly recaptured his best form, getting better as the tournament has drawn on. He came from behind to beat Zhang Anda with a fabulous run to the winning line in round one, bossed Kyren Wilson in his next match, and then played wonderfully well in a high-quality affair against Barry Hawkins in which he again came from behind to win.
The Northern Irishman really does look back to his best now, seemingly finding that sweet spot between attack and defence. Crucially, Allen appears to have confidence in his game again.
With the tools required for the demands of the World Championship, Allen has always looked a good for this tournament, and this represents his best ever chance of becoming world champion. Moreover, the experience of two previous Crucible semi-finals will stand him in good stead.
He didn't do a lot wrong when losing to 17-15 to Mark Selby in the last four in 2021, and is adamant he is a better player five years on.
Allen seems sure to play well and at the very least make it incredibly hard for his opponent, meaning match quotes of 13/10 are attractive.
There is clearly huge potential in Wu who displayed a different side to himself when beating Selby in round two, and his best attacking game is capable of taking down the very best.
But he'll need more than that to get the better of the rock-solid Allen, and over four sessions under such intense pressure, I'm happy to side with the underdog at the odds. (Preview by Richard Mann)
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