Northern Ireland Open snooker as it happened – Judd Trump hits back to sink Stephen Maguire after Jack Lisowski wins

ByDesmond Kane

Updated 27/10/2023 at 21:31 GMT

It is quarter-finals day at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, with Jack Lisowski up first, then Barry Hawkins and Judd Trump later in the day. Lisowski has an intriguing match-up against Ricky Walden, while Hawkins takes on David Gilbert. Trump, chasing a third title in a row, beat Noppon Saengkham late on Thursday to set up his Friday evening clash with former UK champion Stephen Maguire.

THANKS FOR JOINING US

We will be back for Jack Lisowski against Chris Wakelin in the first semi-final. That match begins at 1pm on Saturday with Trump facing Barry Hawkins at 7pm on Saturday evening. Wakelin completed a 5-2 win over Yuan boosted by breaks of 62, 76 and 54.

Northern Ireland Open

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MAGUIRE 4-5 TRUMP

"I thought I played really well," said Trump on Eurosport after producing breaks of 78, 109, 81, 53, 71 and 54. "In the end, I had to dig in and do whatever I needed. I've played so much, it almost feels like instinct. It's not about winning, I've proved I can win again. There's no reason why I can't go out and win every tournament I play in."

MAGUIRE 4-4 TRUMP (0-86)

Maguire knocks the black in trying to run safe. And that is surely game, set and match for Trump. He is going to win an 18th straight ranking match. Astonishing run of consistency. He will face Barry Hawkins in the semi-finals on Saturday night.

MAGUIRE 4-4 TRUMP (0-54)

A break of 54 from Trump, but no winning surge to the line yet. Knocks the green safe to the side rail. Maguire goes for a tricky three-ball plant from distance, but doesn't drop and that might be his last shot of the match.

MAGUIRE 4-4 TRUMP (0-45)

Maguire has been forced to sit and suffer here. Looks ominous for him as Trump sets about this break with some relish.

MAGUIRE 4-4 TRUMP (0-17)

Trump left with a long red to go at from a Maguire safety mistake, but in goes the object ball and he is away in this decider.

MAGUIRE 4-3 TRUMP (0-71)

Maguire must be preparing for a decider here. Trump not missing anything this evening from close range. In goes the pink and he is 71 ahead. Safety shot after the 71. Maguire concedes seconds later after a tough red stays up. We are heading for the final frame.

MAGUIRE 4-3 TRUMP (0-41)

Trump thumps a red into the green bag along the baulk cushion. Made that look so easy, and he is right back out for the baulk colours. So this looks a real chance to force the decider. Speeds along to 41 in no time at all.

MAGUIRE 3-3 TRUMP (67-53)

Nerves of steel from Maguire as he drops in a tricky blue to land on pink. In goes the pink and the Belfast crowd roar their approval. The Scot is 4-3 ahead here.

MAGUIRE 3-3 TRUMP (47-53)

A fine break of 53 from Trump, but no position on the final red. Leaves white behind brown in baulk, but Maguire hits the final red and gets it safe. Chance of a long red for Maguire to green pocket. White was on the top cushion. But he banged it in with real authority. Superb pot. And that could be the key to a 4-3 lead for Maguire.

MAGUIRE 3-3 TRUMP (44-24)

Maguire runs in 44, but out of position off blue and can't convert a tough red along top cushion. Chance for Judd to launch the counter attack. Maguire almost creating a frame-winning opportunity, but will fear the worst now.

MAGUIRE 3-3 TRUMP (9-0)

A rare safety joust early in this seventh frame. Trump tries to break the deadlock with a trademark long red, but nothing doing on that occasion. Maguire then rolls in a fine red deadweight to right middle to carve out the first chance of the frame. His first pot in half an hour. What can he offer here?

MAGUIRE 3-2 TRUMP (0-85)

Breaks of 109 and 81 from Trump see him level up at 3-3 from 3-1 down. Seems like Maguire held a 3-1 lead only a few minutes ago. Trump wiping out the deficit without much thought. First man to five frames reaches the semi-finals.

MAGUIRE 3-2 TRUMP (0-44)

Trump showing why he is chasing a third straight ranking event as snooker's form man. Scoring for fun out there with white ball under lock-and-key.

MAGUIRE 3-2 TRUMP (0-18)

Maguire tries a shot to nothing, but ends up leaving Judd with chance of mid-range red using rest. He knocks that in with ease. And suddenly this is a chance to get his scoring boots on again. Not many balls being missed tonight. Judd bidding to turn this contest into a best of three.

MAGUIRE 3-1 TRUMP (9-109)

A 36th century of the season for Judd and this has been classy trademark stuff from the 2019 world champion. He trails Maguire 3-2, but will be feeling good about himself after that magical knock.

MAGUIRE 3-1 TRUMP (9-80)

Trump responding as you would expect. Chance of a century in the fifth frame of a possible nine. Maguire a tad unfortunate not to take advantage of that shot into the reds early in the frame.

MAGUIRE 3-1 TRUMP (9-45)

Trump looking very composed here at the business end of table. Nudging a few reds out here and there. And you would fancy this to become a frame-winning visit for Judd. Such is the state of the table. Enough loose reds.

MAGUIRE 3-1 TRUMP (9-6)

Trump trying to run safe off the reds at the top end of the table, but succeeds only in dropping the white down yellow pocket. Maguire responds by holing red to right centre before driving the white into the pack of reds, but can't force home a tricky red with awkward bridging seconds later. Chance for Judd to make his own move here.

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MAGUIRE 2-1 TRUMP (69-35)

Super safety shot by Maguire. It prompts the error from Judd as the brown is left to green bag. Stephen floats in brown before adding blue and pink. And it is a 3-1 mid-session lead for the Scot. Looking for two more frames to reach the semi-finals. Chris Wakelin with breaks of 62 and 76 leads Yuan Sijun on the other table.

MAGUIRE 2-1 TRUMP (51-35)

All coming down to the colours this frame. One red left on the table after Maguire couldn't escape from a snooker and left a free ball. But Trump can't convert a tricky swerve around the black to pot the red. Maguire drops in red and pink. Chance to get frame won, but brown on cushion is problem ball.

MAGUIRE 2-1 TRUMP (42-19)

A break of 42 from Maguire before he knocks a brown safe. Very decent break that 42. Holed a lot of balls in that little cameo.

MAGUIRE 2-1 TRUMP (35-19)

A lot of balls have been potted for 35 points, but Maguire remains at the table. And is certainly not backing off this break with four reds remaining.

MAGUIRE 2-1 TRUMP (18-19)

Great long red by Stephen before he clips home a super cut on pink with rest. Looks to be totally focussed on what lies ahead here. Black is at wrong end of table so not easy to win the frame here.

MAGUIRE 2-1 TRUMP (0-19)

Judd with a run of only 19 before he runs out of position, so Maguire will be coming back to the table in this fourth frame of the night, the final frame before the mid-session interval.

MAGUIRE 2-1 TRUMP (0-18)

Nice mid-range opener from Judd in the fourth frame, and he immediately uses the white to split the reds by slotting blue to right middle. Maguire was well off the potting angle of a long red, and must accept the outcome here.

‘Wow, what a shot’ - Trump knocks in stunning long red down the cushion

MAGUIRE 1-1 TRUMP (74-0)

Maguire is really responding to the surroundings. Big crowd in Belfast appreciating this level of attacking play. Maguire hasn't come to accept defeat. Trump broke off and sat himself down for the rest of the frame. A run of 74 and Maguire leads 2-1. Chris Wakelin and Yuan Sijun are level at 1-1 on the other table.

MAGUIRE 1-1 TRUMP (57-0)

All the hard work has been done in this break by Maguire. Just a case of finishing off the frame to lead 2-1. Trump weighed in with 78 and Maguire is going to hit back in style here.

MAGUIRE 1-1 TRUMP (23-0)

Maguire with a ferocious pot on a red from distance. And he is back out on to land on the black. Perfect position before he develops more reds off a red. Very impressive start to this frame by 'The Maverick'.

O'SULLIVAN PRAISE FOR MAGUIRE

Ronnie O'Sullivan believes Stephen Maguire is one of the greatest players to play snooker in the history of the sport.

‘I think he is one of the best players that has played the game’ - O’Sullivan praise for Maguire

MAGUIRE 1-0 TRUMP (0-78)

No century doing for the Juddernaut, but a break of 78 always gets the job done. And we are level in this quarter-final at 1-1.

MAGUIRE 1-0 TRUMP (0-71)

In goes the blue as break reaches 71. Should secure him the frame. Can he progress to make a century at this visit? Every chance.

MAGUIRE 1-0 TRUMP (0-35)

This looks like a chance to win the second frame in one hit for Trump. Maguire took a double on a red at the outset of this frame, never got it and could cost him it. Without doing much wrong.

MAGUIRE 1-0 TRUMP (0-6)

Trump with another sublime long red. Flies into a top pocket and has landed nicely on the blue. Will be keen to get his cue arm working at this visit.

MAGUIRE 0-0 TRUMP (58-18)

Trump misses an easy red after the wonder red. Has yet to find his form so far and Maguire responds by sinking a brilliant long red of his own. Trump concedes seconds later and Maguire does have the lead. Fairly forgettable first frame, but Maguire wins it.

MAGUIRE 0-0 TRUMP (45-13)

Not exactly a vintage first frame, but Maguire holds a lead of 33 points with four reds left up. Trump responds by drilling a magical red down a side rail. What a way to pot yourself out of trouble.

MAGUIRE 0-0 TRUMP (23-12)

A few bizarre happenings as Trump sees a white drop in after potting long red before Maguire drains a long red of his own. Chance then for the Scotsman to put down some sort of marker here in the first frame.

MAGUIRE 0-0 TRUMP (1-12)

No black to go with the red, but a safety blunder by Trump gives Maguire the chance to return to the table with a scoring opportunity. Which he can't take as red to left centre eludes him.

MAGUIRE 0-0 TRUMP (1-12)

Stunning long red by Trump to get himself moving in the first frame of the night. No messing about out there. Decent chance this to get hand on table, but he misses a pink to right middle. And Maguire is presented with his first chance of the evening.

MAGUIRE 0-0 TRUMP (0-0)

Almost ready to go with this quarter-final under Friday night lights. A full house at the Belfast Waterfront for this encounter. Trump and Maguire emerge to a healthy ovation from the expectant crowd. "He's one of the best players to have played the game," says world No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan on Eurosport about Maguire.

THANKS FOR JOINING US

We will be back at 7pm for the remaining quarter-final matches as Judd Trump and Stephen Maguire chase a semi-final spot with Chris Wakelin facing Yuan Sijun.

HAWKINS 5-4 GILBERT

"Dave is such a good scorer, and is great to watch around the table," said Hawkins on Eurosport. "Going into that last frame, it is anybody's match. That match was a good standard, I'm really pleased to get through it."

HAWKINS 4-4 GILBERT (77-11)

Dave misses a tough red trying to run safe before missing a long red. Looks like game over as Hawkins slots a brilliant red to green bag. Has played an immense decider and is a deserving 5-4 winner in Belfast. He will face Judd Trump or Stephen Maguire in the semi-finals.

HAWKINS 4-4 GILBERT (57-6)

This has been some break from Hawkins. Has been picking out long blues for fun in this break. Under intense pressure, he makes 57 before cashing his chips by knocking the yellow safe. Almost over the line, but not quite.

HAWKINS 4-4 GILBERT (44-6)

This has been a real tough assignment for Hawkins, but he remains at the table potting reds via blues with black out of commission and pink in baulk. Desperate to get the job done at this visit.

HAWKINS 4-4 GILBERT (28-6)

Black tied up, but the Hawk is doing his work via the blue at the moment. Ends up wrong side of blue off a red. Leaves a tough red with rest to a top pocket. Bangs it in at pace and opens up the reds to come back up for blue. Brave shot, but could pay off with victory.

HAWKINS 4-4 GILBERT (3-6)

A nervy start to the decider with Hawkins hitting the pink trying to escape from a snooker. But a safety error by Gilbert in catching reds too thick could be costly. Chance for Hawkins from mid-range. Thumps in the red and out for the blue. First chance falls to the Hawk.

HAWKINS 4-3 GILBERT (24-114)

A superb clearance of 114 from Dave and we will have a final frame to settle this quarter-final. Anybody's match now.

HAWKINS 4-3 GILBERT (24-75)

Real fighting class from Gilbert to hit back in this match. Has been playing catch-up all day, but has held himself together superbly with this break. A brilliant pot on the final red and has a chance to head into that final frame on the back of making a century.

HAWKINS 4-3 GILBERT (24-38)

All started to get a bit nervy as Hawkins misses a thin cut on a red over a top bag. Gilbert returns to the table armed with aspirations of forcing a decider. A few nice plants on reds over the pocket help clear the path to the top right-hand pocket. Buries a red at pace, and plenty of reds pop out. What a chance then to force this final frame.

HAWKINS 4-3 GILBERT (24-4)

Brilliant split on the pack to open up black and pink by Hawkins. All in scoring positions after Gilbert failed to cart home a long red early in the frame. But Hawkins runs out of position at a key moment, and is forced to run safe. A big let-off for Gilbert.

HAWKINS 4-2 GILBERT (20-67)

A 26-minute frame finally falls in favour of Dave Gilbert, who could have made life easier for himself. Hawkins got one snooker, but a safety blunder enables Gilbert to see it out. He trails 4-3 in the race to five. The winner of this will meet Judd Trump or Stephen Maguire in the second semi-final on Saturday night.

HAWKINS 4-2 GILBERT (8-66)

Gilbert with a cracking pot on a red down the right side cushion. Was tough over another red, but in it goes and suddenly Hawkins needs two snookers. Barry still battling for the two snookers with two reds left up.

HAWKINS 4-2 GILBERT (8-65)

A break of 65 from Gilbert before he misses a red down the side rail with the rest. Still 67 left on the table, so Dave needing one more red to finalise the seventh frame. Hawkins slots red to yellow pocket with a terrific pot, but will be a huge clearance this with reds tied up.

HAWKINS 4-2 GILBERT (1-8)

Hawkins throws the kitchen sink at a long red, but rattles jaws and will have to take a seat. Played without any sense of safety and he has presented Gilbert with a great chance to get his cue arm working. Pink hanging over a top bag, so just needs to work out which order to take these balls in.

HAWKINS 3-2 GILBERT (77-13)

This frame is a done deal then. Hawk putting the finishing touches to it. He is two up with a possible three to play. A 66 his latest break of note.

HAWKINS 3-2 GILBERT (66-13)

Misses a mid-range red with rest, but we have already reached snookers required. Dave just needs one snooker as he returns to the table.

HAWKINS 3-2 GILBERT (59-5)

This looks for all the world like 4-2 coming up. Unless there is a major malfunction. Pot success rate in the high 90s in this match. So not making any cheap errors. Could be another big break on the cards here. 59 and counting.

HAWKINS 3-2 GILBERT (13-5)

Great long red by Barry in response and he lands on the green over right middle to extend his stay at the table. Black out in the open and plenty of reds to attack here. Dave will be fearing the worst already you suspect. The Hawk has not been shy in piling on the points.

HAWKINS 3-2 GILBERT (0-5)

Hawkins breaks off for the sixth frame of the day. But Dave responds with a thumping long red. Didn't touch the sides. How well did he cue that? This a huge frame in the context of this quarter-final.

'Take your hat off!' - Gilbert dispatches 'risky' plant

HAWKINS 3-1 GILBERT (0-83)

Will be feeling a lot better about himself after this break. A 58 is his highest break of the match so far. And he is back to within one frame of The Hawk trailing 3-2 in the race to five.

HAWKINS 3-1 GILBERT (0-61)

Not easy to score here with the pink and black tied up. But Dave has released the black and they are suddenly all there for the taking. That fluked red allowed him to play a telling safety and brought him back to the table. So surely must cash in here by taking the fifth frame at this visit.

HAWKINS 3-1 GILBERT (0-25)

Early chance for Dave in the fifth frame as he rolls in a tough blue to remain at the table, but he then misses the next red before fluking it in the opposite pocket. Out of position and just the safety to follow.

HAWKINS 2-1 GILBERT (138-0)

"What a treat for the crowd," says 1986 world champion Joe Johnson in commentary. In goes his second century of the match. Sublime levels of play this. A total clearance of 138 from Barry Hawkins to go with earlier breaks of 91 and 134. He is two frame shorts of a semi-final spot.

HAWKINS 2-1 GILBERT (73-0)

This is supreme from the Hawk. Similar to Jack Lisowski in the first quarter-final. Really has been ruthless among the balls at close range. One-visit snooker the order of the day.

HAWKINS 2-1 GILBERT (38-0)

Gilbert tries to play a containing safety shot, but ends up presenting Hawkins with another scoring chance. Which is a dangerous ploy when he is in this type of mood. Will Dave get another chance in this frame? Looking very ominous as Hawkins sets off on another break-building cameo.

Delightful double helps Hawkins to a century

HAWKINS 1-1 GILBERT (91-0)

Dave missed a tough red to left middle and has been forced to digest the ramifications of his error. Hawk bringing his A game to the party when he is among the balls. A fine 91 from Bazza and he moves 2-1 to the good in this second quarter-final of the Northern Ireland Open. One more frame before the mid-session break.

HAWKINS 1-1 GILBERT (40-0)

Ronnie O'Sullivan always tells you how he likes the balls to make that crunching sound when they hit the back of the pocket. It lets a snooker player know they are hitting the white sweetly. So far in this break, Barry Hawkins is crunching his way through these balls. Really despatching the reds with authority.

HAWKINS 1-1 GILBERT (14-0)

"He knows he missed a trick there. He should have been in and scoring there," says 1986 world champion Joe Johnson in commentary. Was a real chance for Gilbert, but red to left middle stays up and the power passes to the Hawk as he trickles a red into the green bag down the cushion.

HAWKINS 1-0 GILBERT (19-58)

Dave with a brilliant plant on reds before punishing the Hawkins error to drain the final red. And that is the second frame to the man dubbed 'The Angry Farmer'. Battle is joined. All a bit scrappy, but winning frames is the name of the game in snooker. You don't always need centuries to do that.

HAWKINS 1-0 GILBERT (19-56)

30 break from Dave, but no more as red along top cushion eludes him. The Hawk misses the cannon in trying to develop the final two reds. Still life in this second frame.

HAWKINS 1-0 GILBERT (18-29)

A brilliant escape from Gilbert to thump the red full in face with white and get the white back to safety in baulk. Missed the red twice trying to run safe, but third time lucky was a superb effort. He then teases in a red down a side rail against the odds. Far from easy, but chance to score a few with pink in the open.

HAWKINS 1-0 GILBERT (10-0)

Hawkins first to the punch in the second frame, but he misses a red trying to inject some pace into the cue ball. So no punishing break inflicted upon Dave at that visit.

HAWKINS 0-0 GILBERT (134-0)

The 50th century of the week at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. A sublime effort from the world No. 14 to begin this match with a total clearance of 134. Barry Hawkins in complete control of the white ball. The cross double on a red to keep the break going on 89 was a bit special.

HAWKINS 0-0 GILBERT (57-0)

This is really very good from Hawkins so far. Almost over the winning line in this first frame. Faced with a tricky red along the top cushion, but knocks it in with little or no fuss. That is a terrific pot and this is a chance to get this match up and running with a century.

HAWKINS 0-0 GILBERT (36-0)

Hawkins showing the level of concentration that helped him win the European Masters this year. Putting these balls away at a decent speed.

HAWKINS 0-0 GILBERT (5-0)

The Hawk tries to pick out a long red, but no damage done when the red doesn't drop. Nothing left. A safety error by Gilbert then gives Hawkins another chance. Which he takes. Chance then to get hand on table here.

LISOWSKI 5-1 WALDEN

"I just fancy clearing up even if I'm 60 behind. You just kind of know, it's a nice feeling," said Lisowski on Eurosport. "I'm trying to win this thing, but I've just got to keep it up. I've been doing the simple things better. Ricky didn't do that much wrong, but he looked like he was playing really good. To beat a great player like Ricky 5-1, I must be doing something right."

LISOWSKI 4-1 WALDEN (79-7)

Like a cue ball clinic in Belfast. The large crowd treated to Lisowski playing with 98% pot success rate. Superb from Jack as he finishes with a 73 against an opponent who made 132, but didn't register a point in the other four frames. It's a tough old school at the very top of professional snooker.

LISOWSKI 4-1 WALDEN (56-7)

"This has been a masterclass, for me," says Eurosport pundit Neal Foulds. "The two shots Ricky has missed have been completely punished. I can't remember him playing a more complete match than this one."

LISOWSKI 4-1 WALDEN (49-7)

Having to do his work here without the black, which is tied up at the top end of the table, but is putting these open reds away with some care. Won't need the black if he can take pinks with the four remaining reds in the open.

LISOWSKI 4-1 WALDEN (20-7)

A brutal safety from Lisowski forces the error from Walden. Jackpot took two minutes to work out where he wanted to leave the white and he comes up with a corker in baulk. The very definition of a telling safety shot. Chance then to get his nose ahead in frame he needs for victory.

LISOWSKI 4-1 WALDEN (6-7)

This match definitely does not feel like 4-1 as Walden has played well, but he has been heavily punished by an opponent playing some marvellous stuff.

LISOWSKI 4-1 WALDEN (1-7)

The hardest frame to win is sometimes the one you need for victory, but Jack has displayed little sign of weakness today so far. Breaks of 128 and 81 in the past two frames to go with some solid matchplay in the other two frames he's won. The winner of this match will meet Yuan Sijun or Chris Wakelin in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.

'That is just stunning' - Lisowski thrills crowd with fantastic long red

LISOWSKI 3-1 WALDEN (81-37)

So, so good from Jackpot. Rolls in 81 with total ease. A magnificent clearance and he is three up with a possible four frames to play. Ricky needs them all. A high-quaiity quarter-final this one.

LISOWSKI 3-1 WALDEN (51-37)

Superb shot by Jack to spring a red off the side cushion. All the reds in the open now. And this is a glorious chance to seal the deal for 4-1. Walden forced to digest missing that pink.

LISOWSKI 3-1 WALDEN (0-36)

A re-rack at the outset of the fifth frame before Ricky raps home a lovely red to a yellow pocket. Quick break of 28, but so unlucky not open up the reds. Did nothing wrong. Walden then slams home a long red seconds later, but a pink to right middle fails to drop. Played it with pace, but that could be a huge error.

LISOWSKI 2-1 WALDEN (138-0)

A 128 clearance from Jackpot. His 17th century of the season. He leads 3-1 in an absorbing quarter-final duel at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. Little or few errors being made so far.

LISOWSKI 2-1 WALDEN (110-0)

Just finalising this fourth frame in rapid style. Looks so easy. At one with the table. In goes the century ahead of the colours. Really is clinical from Jackpot.

LISOWSKI 2-1 WALDEN (66-0)

Excellent shot on black. Really was. Was a tricky cutback, but made it look easy. Opens up a few more reds, and could be a century of his own to come in the fourth frame of the day.

LISOWSKI 2-1 WALDEN (52-0)

Walden doing little wrong here, but could face a 3-1 deficit at the mid-session break. Lisowski among the balls with hand on table. Should put frame to bed here and now.

LISOWSKI 2-1 WALDEN (15-0)

Both men clearly in fine touch when the chances present themselves, but it is all about earning those opportunities. You can't do nothing sitting in your chair. Walden twice misses the edge off a red attempting to run safe and is told he must hit a red this time. Which he does. But Jack responds by rolling a red down the length of the table to green bag. What a pot that is.

LISOWSKI 1-1 WALDEN (73-19)

White follows a long straight red down the hole, and Walden has seen enough of this frame. Again, chances for both men, but it is Lisowski who restores the lead. One more frame to come before the mid-session break.

LISOWSKI 1-1 WALDEN (69-19)

But a tough red along the top cush eludes him as he threatened to mount the counter attack. Can't believe that hasn't dropped. And it is likely to cost him dearly. A lead of 50 points with 35 left up leaves Jack on the cusp of a 2-1 lead.

LISOWSKI 1-1 WALDEN (53-12)

A sublime piece of cueing from Lisowski to thump a red into a top pot from distance. That is really a thrilling piece of cueing. But no colour to follow. Walden then shows why he is a dangerous customer by sliding a long red into the pocket. Walden with a 95% pot success rate so far.

LISOWSKI 1-1 WALDEN (52-0)

Jackpot adds 36, but overcooks the pot on blue trying to run around the angles. No position on the next red with just a safety shot on the agenda for Jack holding a decent lead of 52 points.

LISOWSKI 1-1 WALDEN (22-0)

Brilliant shot from Lisowski to slot a red to left middle with white almost welded to a top cushion. But he then misses another red to left middle seconds later. Was some way off the potting angle too, but Walden jaws a tricky red seconds later to hand Lisowski an immediate reprieve.

LISOWSKI 1-0 WALDEN (0-132)

A brilliant 354th career century from Walden is in the bag. Looks like he is going to clear the table with a masterful effort. A rousing clearance of 132. Walden in a rich vein of form. This match is all square at 1-1 as Lisowski is forced to sit out the second frame without doing anything wrong.

LISOWSKI 1-0 WALDEN (0-91)

This is delightful from Walden. Really is. Playing lovely little touches in and around the black spot to get the reds freed up. Cannons and stun shots being played with no fear. Could be a century on the way. One-visit snooker the name of the game from Ricky in this quarter-final.

LISOWSKI 1-0 WALDEN (0-37)

Both of these players like to attack whenever the opportunity presents itself. Nobody is keen on taking a backward step in these opening two frames. Always good to watch. What you might call a high-press potting game as Walden surpasses his break of 36 in the opening frame. How many more will he weigh in with here?

LISOWSKI 1-0 WALDEN (0-13)

Off we go then for the second frame of a possible nine. Walden is 3-2 ahead on the career head-to-heads over the past 13 years, but Jackpot won their previous meeting in the last 32 of the Welsh Open two years ago. Again, Walden picks out the first long red of the second frame before clipping a tough pink into a left middle bag. Will be keen to get his scoring boots on here.

LISOWSKI 0-0 WALDEN (69-68)

Golden chance for Lisowski to complete a huge steal. Just needs the final three colours to steal. And in they go. A clinical clearance of 42 gives Jack the first frame by a point. That miss on the red will sting when Walden plays it back in his chair. But must get over it. The frame is gone. First to five frames will book their place in the semi-finals on Saturday. So no time to feel sorry for one's self.

LISOWSKI 0-0 WALDEN (35-68)

Both men with decent scoring opportunities, but looks like Ricky is going to see it out until he misses a red with the rest. Well, that was frame ball. Doesn't drop and this frame remains a live issue with one red left on table.

LISOWSKI 0-0 WALDEN (27-36)

Jackpot isn’t keen on a long safety duel and cracks home a tough red of his own from distance seconds later. Glorious chance to mount a strong comeback, but he can make only 27 as a tricky red to right middle eludes him.

LISOWSKI 0-0 WALDEN (0-36)

Long red by Ricky Walden straight off the bat. That’s what you want to get your day off to a flying start. Quickly moves to 22. Hitting the ball very well. Getting right through the white as he sets about these balls with some relish. But can’t get the pack of reds open from the black on 36. So just the safety to conclude.

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It's time for the quarter-finals at the Northern Ireland Open, as the Home Nations series continues apace.

Catch up on all yesterday's action here.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN 2023?

The Northern Ireland Open will be held at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from October 22 to October 29.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT AT THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN 2023?

All matches are best-of-seven until the quarter-finals, which are the best-of-nine frames.

The semi-finals are best-of-11 frames, with the final a two-session, best-of-17 affair.

HOW TO WATCH THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN 2023?

In the UK and the rest of Europe, you can watch all the action live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Eurosport.com is the destination for daily live blogs, reports, reaction and news.

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Stream top snooker action, including the Northern Ireland Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

Northern Ireland Open

‘Bit of a dream’ – Trump reacts to moving alongside greats after Northern Ireland win

30/10/2023 at 09:48

Northern Ireland Open

‘Should I retire the tip?’ - Trump jokes about swapping tips after winning three in a row

00:03:51

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29/10/2023 at 20:43

Northern Ireland Open

‘It feels like the exhibition has started’ - Trump pots pink off seven cushions

00:02:55

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29/10/2023 at 19:52