THE World Grand Prix is rolling on at pace with two quarter-final clashes in action RIGHT NOW.
John Higgins is facing Shaun Murphy after the Scotsman knocked out reigning World champion Kyren Wilson on Thursday, with Neil Robertson also facing Xiao Guodong at the moment.
Later this morning, world No1 Judd Trump faces Hossein Vafaei and two former world champions – Stuart Bingham and Mark Selby – round out the action.
Defending champ Ronnie O’Sullivan will not attempt to defend his crown in Hong Kong after it was revealed at the weekend that he will not return to the table until the World Championship later this year.
- Start time: From 5am GMT
- TV channel: TNT Sports 2
- Live stream: discovery+
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Follow our live blog below…
-
Quarter-final time – latest scores
We are well underway in today’s quarter-final fixtures.
Murphy is already looking strong in his clash with Higgins.
While Robertson leads Xiao in their thrilling tie.
- Murphy 4 Higgins 3
- Xiao 3 Robertson 4
-
World Grand Prix fixtures
Murphy vs Higgins
Xiao vs Robertson
Bingham vs Selby
Trump vs Vafaei
-
World Grand Prix Results
Bingham 4-2 Wu
Higgins 4-2 Wilson
Gilbert 1-4 Robertson
Trump vs Lisowski – WALKOVER
Hawkins 1-4 Murphy
Vafaei 4-3 Si
Robertson 2-4 Selby
Xiao 4-3 Peifan
-
Higgins moves on
John Higgins reached a record 147th ranking tournament quarter-final as he eliminated world champion Kyren Wilson 4-2 from the Last 16.
The four-time world champion – who scored a 143 in frame two – now plays Shaun Murphy as he tries to extend his eight-match winning streak following the World Open win.
-
More from Vafaei
Hossen Vafaei was parachuted into the draw of the World Grand Prix last Saturday when Ronnie O’Sullivan pulled out due to medical reasons.
After Yushan, I had to go to Shanghai and then Chengdu to renew my contract with my sponsor.
Then all of a sudden, they emailed me to say, ‘Are you ready?’ I had time.
My visa for Hong Kong was ready. Happy days. I was not happy for my friend Ronnie.
I hope he is healthy. I don’t want anything bad to happen to him.
Hossen Vafaei
-
Hossein Vafaei speaks
Snooker star Hossein Vafaei opened up about having acupuncture pre-match to cure the agony
Honestly, I’m playing with one hand right now. My neck and shoulder, I’m in so much pain. I’m always fighting for my fans. I was thinking, if I would pull out, what would I do? Sit on the chair and watch them?
At least I can go out there and try and see what happens. Honestly, I am in so much pain. It’s unbelievable. When I’m in my chair, my hand is shaking, my left arm is completely numb. My tongue is unbelievable.
For a shot, I miscued and my tongue went down, and all of a sudden, I don’t have any feeling of it. But I’m fighting for my fans. I’m so delighted to win.
I have to continue with the acupuncture. They put electricity on top of the needles. It gives a shock to my nerves.
I haven’t had time to get a MRI. I have done a CT scan. I have to do treatment and exercises. After this tournament, I’ll go back to Iran and see the Olympic team doctor.
Hossen Vafaei
-
Hossein Vafaei success
Walking wounded Hossein Vafaei reached a first ranking tournament quarter-final this season despite “playing with one hand” and a “numb tongue”.
Late substitute the Iranian potter, 30, knocked out Chinese cueist Xu Si 4-3 despite his high break of just 56 across the seven frames.
Yet before Friday’s last-eight clash with world No1 Judd Trump, he revealed the crippling pain he is suffering in his neck and shoulder due to a problematic disc in his upper spine.
-
World Grand Prix fixtures
Murphy vs Higgins
Xiao vs Robertson
Bingham vs Selby
Trump vs Vafaei
-
World Grand Prix Results
Bingham 4-2 Wu
Higgins 4-2 Wilson
Gilbert 1-4 Robertson
Trump vs Lisowski – WALKOVER
Hawkins 1-4 Murphy
Vafaei 4-3 Si
Robertson 2-4 Selby
Xiao 4-3 Peifan
-
Xiao wins
Guodong Xiao pulls through!
Xiao beats Lei Peifan 4-3 to qualify!
-
Live Results
Lei Peifan strikes back with the equaliser!
Peifan is now 3-3 against Guodong Xiao!!
-
Live Results
And we got a breakthrough!
Guodong Xiao makes it 3-2 against Lei Peifan!
-
Live Results
Guodong Xiao and Lei Peifan are still locked 2-2 in an exciting encounter.
-
Mark Selby wins
Mark Selby picked up a big win over Jimmy Robertson to advance in the World Grand Prix.
Guodong Xiao and Lei Peifan are still 2-2.
-
Live results
Robertson 2-3 Selby
Xiao 1-2 Peifan
-
Live results
Robertson 2-2 Selby
Xiao 0-2 Peifan
-
Live results
Here’s all the latest from the World Grand Prix:
Robertson 2-2 Selby
Xiao 0-1 Peifan
-
Latest scores – Evening session
A battling comeback from Selby, but Robertson will be kicking himself.
He was well in control of that frame, leading by over 50.
Selby clears up to take it 67-58.
- Jimmy Robertson 1-2 Mark Selby
- Xiao Guodong 0-0 Lei Peifan
-
Latest scores – Evening session
Our final match of Round 2 about to get going.
Xiao Guodong takes on Lei Peifan, with Robertson in control of Frame 3 against a struggling Selby.
- Jimmy Robertson 1-1 Mark Selby
- Xiao Guodong 0-0 Lei Peifan
-
Latest scores – Vafaei wins a thriller
What an absolutely fantastic game of snooker.
Thrills and spills for all seven frames, with the match going right down to the final three colours.
All credit to Vafaei, who keeps his nerve to set up a quarter-final with Judd Trump.
- Hossein Vafaei 4-3 Xu Si
- Jimmy Robertson 1-1 Mark Selby
-
Latest scores – Evening session
An outrageous battle in this deciding frame, with Vafaei showing off some ridiculous shots.
He’s just doubled in a red off the baulk cushion with just the colours remaining – Si leads 52-40.
And on Table 1, we’re all square as Robertson hits back with a century of his own to level the contest.
- Hossein Vafaei 3-3 Xu Si
- Jimmy Robertson 1-1 Mark Selby
Credit: Getty
-
Latest scores – Evening session
We’re into a decider on Table 2, with Xu Si currently 52-9 infront.
That match has been a proper rollercoaster but the young Chinese star looks set to edge it.
- Hossein Vafaei 3-3 Xu Si
- Jimmy Robertson 0-1 Mark Selby
-
Latest scores – Evening session
Some start from Selby.
A magnificent century break gets the Jester from Leicester into the lead.
- Hossein Vafaei 2-3 Xu Si
- Jimmy Robertson 0-1 Mark Selby
-
Latest scores – Evening session
It’s advantage to Xu Si, who wins the crucial fifth frame 72-44.
Over on Table 1, Robertson and Selby are underway – World No. 3 Selby the big favourite to reach the quarter-finals.
- Hossein Vafaei 2-3 Xu Si
- Jimmy Robertson 0-0 Mark Selby
-
Latest scores – Evening session
Si and Vafaei continue in their marathon Frame 5, with the Chinese youngster currently leading 61-34.
There are only three balls left on the table, with Vafaei needing snookers.
Over on Table 1, Jimmy Robertson is preparing to take on Mark Selby.
- Hossein Vafaei 2-2 Xu Si
- Jimmy Robertson 0-0 Mark Selby