Mark Selby and Si Jiahui advance to the World Snooker Championship semi-finals

Mark Selby secured his position in the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship after crushing four-time champion John Higgins with a commanding 13-7 victory. Fortunately, this success has firmly established him as the second most esteemed snooker player in the world. His upcoming match is against Mark Allen. Selby resumed the match leading 9-5, and with impressive breaks of 64, 67, and 91, he took three of the first four frames. Although Higgins made a superb break of 102, Selby answered with a 67, sealing his victory and a place in the last four.

Last night, Allen won a closely contested match with a 13-10 score against Jak Jones, granting him a ticket to the semi-finals for the first time since 2009. An exciting battle between Allen and Selby is sure to come, with both having established themselves as formidable contenders this season.

At the exciting quarter-final match of The Crucible, the young Chinese Si Jiahui beat the experienced Scot Anthony McGill in an intense 13-12 finish. Si and McGill were evenly matched until 8-8 in their final session, yet Si shifted the momentum from McGill when he advanced 11-9. Subsequently, Si scored an 87 break that propelled him three consecutive frames, leaving him one away from his ultimate triumph.

In a brilliant showing, McGill scored a century in the match with a magnificent 130. Unluckily, he gave the younger opponent a chance to secure the victory by making a 41 break due to missing a left-handed pot shot to the lower corner. Initially playing for three snookers, McGill’s effort proved sufficient for Si Jiahui to achieve a remarkable milestone, becoming the second player from China after Ding Junhui to reach the semi-finals in Sheffield. What’s more? Si Jiahui’s debut performance has been exceptional, making him the first player in 28 years to reach this stage on his debut.

Si, one of the youngest semi-finalist players since O’Sullivan in 1996, added that “I ponder myself quite lucky because there were times I doubted my ability to win. I stayed composed and remained focused throughout the high-pressure match. I ensured to change my approach in order to capitalize on my strengths. My composure stayed intact and it allowed me to perform well.”