John Higgins was the reigning ManBetX Welsh Open Snooker Champion. Sunday's 2019 final will feature Stuart Bingham v Hossein Vafaei or Neil Robertson. Pic: Getty Images.

In-Form Stuart Powers Into Welsh Open Semi-Finals

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Former World Champion Stuart Bingham was the first player to secure a spot in the ManBetX Welsh Open snooker semi-finals.

Bingham, from Basildon in Essex, won 5-2 against Zhao Xintong at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

There were six nationalities represented in the last eight, all hoping to go on and lift the Welsh Open Ray Reardon Trophy.

Bingham played almost flawless snooker during the opening frame and Xintong was forced to sit and watch with he Englishman hogging the table time. At one stage he was unable to put a ball for 47 minutes because he scarcely had an opportunity.

There were a few nervy moments later in the match and Bingham said: “I enjoyed it, but it didn’t feel like that in the last couple of frames.

“A few things started to go wrong and to get over the line was great.

“Zhao is an attacking, fluent player who can be a bit scary because he is capable of reeling off a couple of frames in no time. I’m happy to be in the semi-final.

“I’ve been playing pretty good all week and finished off well against Robbie Williams in the previous round with three tons.

“I tried to keep calm, play my shots and stay in the zone.”

The reward for the win is a last four slot against Joe O’Connor or John Higgins.

Bingham had taken his career total of century breaks to 393 with those three against Williams and added another with 134 in the quarter-final.

Overall it was an impressive display by Bingham, who was successful with 83 of the long pots he took on.

Quarter-final result/draw:

Today

Stuart Bingham 5, Zhao Xintong 2

2pm John Higgins v Joe O’Connor

7pm Hossein Vafaei v Scott Donaldson

7pm Neil Robertson v Kurt Maflin

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