2024 Shanghai Masters snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump set up tasty semi-final

Both players won their last eight match-ups on Friday at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium against Chinese opposition. Following Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby's victories earlier in the day against Zhou Yuelong and Pang Junxu respectively, it means it's an all-English line-up for the best of 19 frames semi-finals.

• 2024 Shanghai Masters: Draw, results, schedule, format, prize money, how to watch

In their first professional match on Chinese soil for nearly 15 years, O'Sullivan saw off Ding Junhui 6-3 in front of a huge audience.

Breaks of 85 and 55 helped the seven-time world champion go 2-0 up, but an 81 got Ding on the board in frame three before he took a very scrappy fourth frame on the colours after O'Sullivan squandered good opportunities.

O'Sullivan went back ahead after the mid-session interval but - having shown frustration in frame five when he punched the table - Ding carved out an opening in frame six with a snooker and produced a decisive effort of 74.

However, O'Sullivan seemed to find another gear from this point as he hit a 131 in frame seven - his first century break of the new season - and then a run of 70 in frame eight as he went one away from progression.

It looked all over in the next as the 48-year-old compiled a 62, but when a cannon went wrong, he missed a red into the yellow pocket which allowed Ding back to the table and an opportunity to counter. Ding made a 52 as he got to the final brown, but having not got ideal position on it, he missed it with the rest which meant that O'Sullivan was reprieved as he mopped up for the win.

Over on the other table, Trump ended the hopes of Si Jiahui, 6-2, to extend his perfect head-to-head record over him to 6-0.

Three-time finalist in this event Trump crafted a 74 as he secured the opening frame before doubling his advantage. He was on the cusp of going 3-0 up but unexpectedly missed the final yellow and Si responded with a clearance to open his account, although Trump went to the mid-session interval 3-1 ahead.

A repeat of the German Masters final several months ago, Si returned after the break and constructed a 123 to again reduce the gap to one, but Trump strung together the next three frames for the win (75 break - frame six, 104 break - frame seven).

Trump will be looking for a change in fortunes when he plays O'Sullivan in the last four; O'Sullivan has come out on top in their five most recent meetings, which includes finals at the World Championship, Champion of Champions and World Grand Prix.

Their last professional match in China was the 2017 Shanghai Masters final that O’Sullivan won 10-3.