Trump ahead but two tons short of £100,000 prize after battling Murphy

World number one Judd Trump has one eye firmly on the £100,000 bonus for a historic century milestone, but he still needs two more tons after a gritty 5-3 lead over Shaun Murphy in their World Championship last-16 clash. The match at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield had all the hallmarks of a classic — comebacks, missed chances, and a touch of tension that only grows as the stakes get higher.

Trump leads Murphy but still two tons away from century magic and £100,000 prize

There’s something about Judd Trump when the lights shine brightest. Trailing 2-0 early on and again 3-2 against Shaun Murphy — himself a former world champion — Trump showcased the resilience that has become his trademark in recent years. He dug deep, winning the final three frames of the session to carve out a slender advantage heading into Sunday’s evening play.

Yet despite getting the scoreboard moving in his favour, Trump suffered a frustrating near-miss in frame eight. On a sparkling break of 98, he lined up the yellow that would have confirmed yet another century. It bobbled and missed, leaving Trump on 98 centuries for the season — still tantalisingly short of the magic number 100 that would guarantee him a six-figure bonus.

Only two players have managed that particular feat before: Neil Robertson with a staggering 103 tons in 2013-14, and Trump himself, who racked up 102 back in the 2019-20 campaign. Adding his name to that very short list for a second time would be another feather in the cap for a player who has already achieved so much.

Trump’s task isn’t over yet. The pair return for another eight frames on Sunday night at 19:00 BST, with the best-of-25 encounter concluding on Monday afternoon. For Trump, the incentive is twofold: move one step closer to a second world title — and make history once again with the century milestone.

Trump chasing history as Crucible tension rises

Trump chasing history as Crucible tension rises

It’s almost fitting that Judd Trump’s pursuit of the £100,000 century prize is taking place at the Crucible, a venue steeped in snooker lore. The venue has seen it all — maximums, upsets, comebacks — and now it’s witnessing one of the game’s greats chasing yet another piece of personal and professional glory.

Trump’s century-making prowess has been nothing short of remarkable. This season alone, his 98 centuries already rank as the third-highest tally ever achieved, behind only his own 2019-20 total and Robertson’s record. He’s eclipsed his marks from 2020-21 (90 centuries) and 2018-19 (83 centuries), reinforcing his reputation as one of snooker’s most prolific scorers.

Still, history doesn’t come easy. The missed yellow at 98 served as a reminder that even for Trump, snooker can be an unforgiving game where fine margins decide outcomes. But if his comeback against Murphy in the opening session is anything to go by, few would bet against him reaching the ton milestone before this tournament is out.

Zhao Xintong shines on emotional day with quarter-final breakthrough

While Trump and Murphy battled under the bright lights, another captivating story was unfolding elsewhere at the Crucible. China’s Zhao Xintong secured his first-ever World Championship quarter-final appearance with a 13-10 victory over compatriot Lei Peifan — a moment of redemption after a difficult chapter in his young career.

Leading 10-6 after Saturday’s second session, Zhao looked poised for a maximum break at the start of play on Sunday, thrilling the crowd with nine reds and nine blacks before his break ended on 72. Although the 147 dream was dashed, Zhao showed maturity beyond his years to steady himself as Lei fought back to narrow the gap to 10-8.

When Lei closed further to 11-10, the tension was palpable. Zhao, who has already beaten some of snooker’s big names like Neil Robertson and Mark Allen in this campaign, needed something special to halt the momentum. A coolly composed break of 54 did exactly that, sealing a 13-10 win and punching his ticket to the last eight.

“I’m so happy, that’s the first time into the quarter-finals and I’m so proud of myself,” Zhao said, beaming with pride after his victory. “In the first round Lei came back against Kyren Wilson, so I knew I needed to be strong. I just wanted to try my best and enjoy the moment. The crowd is so nice, and I want to stay here longer.”

Zhao’s redemption story adds heart to Crucible drama

For Zhao, this run means more than just sporting success. It represents a fresh start after controversy threatened to derail his promising career. In June 2023, Zhao was among 10 Chinese players banned for involvement in match-fixing. While he wasn’t found guilty of throwing matches himself, he admitted to being complicit in others fixing games and betting on matches.

Serving a 20-month suspension, Zhao’s return has been watched closely. Officially classified as an amateur at this World Championship, he has already secured his full-time return to the World Snooker Tour next season — a second chance that he’s grabbing with both hands.

The match against Chris Wakelin in the quarter-finals promises another intriguing storyline. Wakelin, the giant killer of the tournament, has already knocked out former world champion Neil Robertson and world number one Mark Allen. Zhao will have to summon his best snooker yet again, but with the confidence of two impressive wins under his belt, he’ll fancy his chances.

Snooker’s new generation stepping into the spotlight

Between Trump’s chase for a historic prize and Zhao’s emotional journey back to the top, the 2025 World Snooker Championship is shaping up to be a celebration of both past excellence and future promise.

Judd Trump remains the man to beat — a player whose brilliance is matched by his hunger for records and trophies. But Zhao Xintong’s resurgence is a reminder that the next wave is coming, full of talent, stories of redemption, and dreams yet to be fulfilled.

As the Crucible crowd settles in for another dramatic few days, one thing is certain: snooker’s ability to deliver unforgettable theatre is alive and well.