Trump blows away Ding to reach Masters semi-finals

World number one Judd Trump won five successive frames after the interval to beat China's Ding Junhui 6-3 in their Masters quarter-final at Alexandra Palace.

A flurry of brilliant break-building from the Englishman meant Ding, who had opened a 3-1 lead, only managed 39 more points in the rest of the match.

The key moment came in the sixth frame when Ding, leading 3-2, did all the hard work to create a frame-winning opportunity but missed an easy red with the rest to the corner pocket.

Trump, 35, capitalised to level the match and surged clear to set up a semi-final against either Kyren Wilson or Luca Brecel on Saturday.

Reigning world champion Wilson and 2023 Crucible winner Brecel meet in the last quarter-final on Friday at 19:00 GMT.

The quarter-final between Ding and Trump was a match of high quality in terms of scoring, with seven of the nine frames containing a break of 70 or above.

Ding, the 2011 Masters champion, began in style with well-made contributions of 70 and 74 to take a 2-0 lead.

Left-hander Trump responded with a 75 to reduce the deficit but, when the two-time Masters winner missed an awkward red to the corner in frame four, Ding capitalised with a 72 clearance.

A 97 break brought Trump back within one frame at 3-2 and he knocked in a half-century following Ding's error in frame six, after which the world number nine failed to pot another ball in the match.

The 2019 world champion was dominant from then on, with superb breaks of 125, 62 and 75 completing victory.