The Crucible surrenders to legend and explosion: Only four contenders for the snooker throne!

Snooker World Cup Semifinals: Duel of giants and the emergence of new stars in Sheffield.

Thirty-two titans began the journey at the sacred Crucible in Sheffield, but the arena now only houses four. The Snooker World Cup passed its sentence this Wednesday, revealing the semi-finalists who will fight to lift the coveted trophy. In the upper part of the painting, the battle is expected to be epic between Shaun Murphychampion in 2005, and the incombustible legend John Higginsholder of four world titles. At the bottom, the always aspiring Mark Allen will face the emerging sensation, the young Chinese prodigy Wu Yize.

The absence of the defending champion, Zhao Xintonghas opened a range of possibilities, but above all, it has intensified the generational clash. Murphy and Higgins, battle-hardened masters, seek to further immortalize their names in snooker history. Opposite, Allen, who has been knocking on the door of glory for years, and Wu Yize, whose meteoric rise has dazzled everyone and everyone, yearn for their first major world title.

The quarterfinals left us with heart-stopping matches. The most anticipated duel, the one that faced the champion Zhao Xintong against Shaun Murphywas resolved in favor of English by a tight 13-10. Murphy demonstrated a solidity unbecoming of a contender, neutralizing Zhao's initial attacks and controlling the pace of the match. Despite the Chinese's attempts to react, the Englishman's consistency and success in key moments sealed the match.

In the other great quarterfinal tie, John Higgins staged a spectacular comeback against Neil Robertsonanother of the great favorites, also beating him by 13-10. Robertson took an initial 3-5 lead, but Higgins, with a memorable performance, managed to turn the score around, demonstrating his mettle and inexhaustible ambition.

For its part, Mark Allen was the first to qualify for the semifinals after beating Barry Hawkins by 13-11. The Northern Irishman, despite starting with an adverse score, was able to recover and display a forceful game, marked by impressive breaks. The tie was maintained until the final stretch, where Allen's calm and Hawkins' nerves decided the pass.

The surprise of the day, or rather the confirmation of an enormous talent, was starred by Wu Yize. The young Chinese man overwhelmed Hossein Vafaei for a forceful 13-8. Despite some moments of doubt, Wu Yize unleashed his offensive potential, scoring spectacular breaks and making it clear that he aspires to everything in this tournament.

The semi-finals promise to be an unforgettable spectacle, with the best of thirty-three frames. The duel between legends, Shaun Murphy vs. John Higginswill be played on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., on Friday at 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The other semifinal, the clash of candidates between Mark Allen and Wu Yizewill take place this Thursday at 8:00 p.m., Friday at 3:30 p.m., and Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The two winners will meet in the grand final, which will be held on Sunday and Monday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the four semifinalists of the 2026 Snooker World Cup?
The semi-finalists are Shaun Murphy, John Higgins, Mark Allen and Wu Yize.
Who was the defending champion and has been eliminated?
Yes, the defending champion, Zhao Xintong, has been eliminated in the quarterfinals.
How many world titles does John Higgins have?
John Higgins has four world titles, won in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011.
Who won the match between Zhao Xintong and Shaun Murphy?
Shaun Murphy won the match 13-10.
How was John Higgins' match against Neil Robertson?
John Higgins came back from 3-5 down to win 13-10.
What was the result of Mark Allen's match against Barry Hawkins?
Mark Allen won 13-11.
Who has been the great revelation of the tournament?
Wu Yize has stood out as one of the great explosions on the circuit.
What is the format of the semifinals?
The semi-finals are played to the best of thirty-three frames, divided into four sessions.
When will the grand final be played?
The grand final will be played on Sunday and Monday.
Where can I find more information and analysis on snooker?
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