Wu Yize Hammers Trump to Set Up All-Chinese Shenzhen Final Against Yuan Sijun

Wu Recovers From Frame Down to Dismantle Trump 6-1

Reigning world champion Wu Yize produced a commanding second-session performance to defeat world number two Judd Trump 6-1 in the semi-finals of the inaugural Shenzhen Open on Saturday, setting up an all-Chinese final against Yuan Sijun at the Bao'an Sports Centre on Sunday.

Trump, who arrived in Shenzhen in robust form — having claimed the Shanghai Masters title in August and dispatched Mark Selby 5-0 in the quarter-finals — made the brighter start, taking the opening frame with a break of 77. What followed, however, was a sharp reversal of fortunes. A succession of uncharacteristic errors from the Bristol-born 2019 world champion handed the initiative to Wu, who responded by winning six consecutive frames to close out the match. The 22-year-old compiled three breaks of 50 or more during the encounter before sealing victory with a composed run of 110 — a fitting conclusion to what was ultimately a one-sided contest after the opening exchanges.

The result carries considerable ranking implications. According to snooker.org data, Wu will leapfrog Trump into second place in the world rankings following the conclusion of Sunday's final, regardless of the outcome against Yuan. It also serves as direct revenge for Wu, who was eliminated by Trump at the semi-final stage of the Shanghai Masters earlier this season.

Historical Context: Wu's Pursuit of a Third Ranking Title

Wu's victory in Shenzhen moves him into his second ranking final of the season. Having claimed the World Championship crown at the Crucible in May — his second ranking title overall — Wu has not lifted a trophy since that Sheffield triumph. A victory on Sunday would confirm him as one of the dominant forces on the tour in 2026, and at 22 years of age, the trajectory of his career remains steep.

Trump, by contrast, will reflect on a missed opportunity. The world number two has reached at least one ranking semi-final in each of the last seven seasons (CueTracker), but converting that consistency into titles has proved more elusive in recent years. The Shanghai Masters victory in August represented only his second ranking title since 2022, making Saturday's lapse all the more frustrating from his perspective.

Yuan Sijun Battles Through to Maiden Ranking Final

If Wu's path to Sunday's final was defined by dominance, Yuan Sijun's was defined by character. The 26-year-old — ranked 33rd in the world heading into the tournament — fought back from multiple shifts in momentum during a gruelling 6-5 victory over Englishman Jimmy Robertson in the other semi-final.

The decisive 11th frame alone lasted 50 minutes and produced 177 points scored — an indication of the attritional nature of the contest. Robertson forced a snooker on the final red and accumulated 41 penalty points, only to find himself subsequently snookered in return. Yuan eventually cleared to the pink to secure his place in the final, prompting an emotional reaction that was noticed by his compatriot in the adjacent dressing room area.

Speaking to World Snooker Tour after his victory, Wu acknowledged the significance of the moment for his opponent: "When I was preparing for the evening match, I saw that Yuan had shed some tears. I believe it is his first ranking final. Hopefully, we can put on a great match for everyone. Of course, I hope I can take the trophy home, but we will both give it everything we have."

Yuan himself reflected candidly on a career path that has taken longer than anticipated to reach this stage. "I feel that my first ranking final has come a little bit late," he told World Snooker Tour. "Since the pandemic in 2020, the years in between have been quite difficult, and I feel it hasn't been easy. So after all these years, I just hope I can give myself something to show for it."

Sunday's Final: Rankings and Records on the Line

The Shenzhen Open final represents the first all-Chinese ranking final since Ding Junhui faced Yan Bingtao at the 2021 Masters — though that event carries invitational status. A fully ranking all-Chinese final of this nature is a landmark occasion for the sport, and one that underlines the depth of Chinese talent now operating at the top of the professional circuit.

For Yuan, victory on Sunday would propel him to the fringes of the top 16 in the world rankings — a potentially career-defining shift in status. For Wu, it would confirm that his World Championship win was no isolated peak, but rather the foundation of a sustained period of elite-level performance. Both men have plenty at stake when the Bao'an Sports Centre hosts the final on Sunday afternoon.