China Open 2011 - Selby & Trump to Contest Final

It wasn't the final line-up that we expected but it makes it hard to predict a winner! Judd Trump in his maiden ranking-event final faces Mark Selby in the final of the China Open 2011. Both players have similar styles but who will come out on top in Beijing?

Neither semi-finals were particularly high quality, close affairs but the two players got through which was what counted. Judd Trump was up first against PTC Grand Finals champion Shaun Murphy in the morning and wasn't really stretched to his limit but Judd managed to keep Shaun at bay most of the time with his consitant long potting. There were some amusing incidents of sunlight coming through curtains and on to the table and even many mobile phones (Shaun had a word or two to say about that) but Judd soldiered on and won eventually 6-1 with top runs of 64 and 53 and reached his debut televised ranking event final. He won the Paul Hunter classic (EPTC1) in Germany earlier on in the season, can he win another event overseas?

The other match was between Mark Selby and local hero Ding Junhui. Unfortunately for Ding though it wasn't to be yet another year in his home tournament as he succumbed to the Jester from Leicester 6-3. Mark lead 3-1 going into the interval but when he came back Ding stepped up a gear to level back at 3-3, Mark was looking unsettled. But in typical Selby style he hit back, claiming the next three frames in a row to win the match 6-3. Selby has had a taste of finals this season by reaching the German Masters final and winning the PTC2 final in Sheffield against Jack Lisowski but now he will really have to fancy his chances against Judd who might be in awe of the occasion. It might go scrappy towards the end but you can expect both players to start attacking strong tomorrow and it will be an entertaining match anyway.

Who will take home the £60,000 and the China Open trophy? Tune in tomorrow to find out!

Results and Schedule:

Shaun Murphy 6-1 Judd Trump

Mark Selby 6-3 Ding Junhui

First session (EuroSport and EuroSport HD broadcasted):

12.30 PM (7.30 AM GMT)

Final session:

7.30 PM (12.30 AM GMT)