The quarter-final stage of the 2026 WST Players Championship concluded on Friday, 20 February 2026, in Telford, with Mark Allen and Zhao Xintong securing the final two spots in the semi-finals.
Friday, 20 February: Quarter-Final Results
| Match | Result | Notable Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Zhao Xintong vs Shaun Murphy | 6 – 3 | Zhao: 142 (Tournament high) |
| Mark Allen vs Mark Selby | 6 – 2 | Allen: 130; Selby: 1 Century |
Key Match Reports
Zhao Xintong 6–3 Shaun Murphy
The reigning World Champion, Zhao Xintong, overcame a competitive start from Shaun Murphy to win 6–3.
After the mid-session interval was level at 2–2, Zhao surged ahead, aided by a sensational 142 break in the fifth frame, which currently stands as the highest break of the tournament.
Despite Murphy’s efforts, including a break of 77, Zhao’s scoring power proved decisive.
Mark Allen 6–2 Mark Selby
In the evening session, Mark Allen produced a dominant performance to defeat Mark Selby 6–2.
Allen raced into a commanding 5–0 lead, producing five breaks over 50, including a 130 in the fifth frame.
Selby avoided a whitewash by claiming the next two frames, including a century of his own, but “The Pistol” eventually closed out the match to set up a semi-final clash with Zhao.
Semi-Final Line-up
The victories on Friday completed the semi-final draw for Saturday, 21 February 2026:
- Afternoon Session (13:00 GMT): John Higgins vs Judd Trump
- Evening Session (19:00 GMT): Zhao Xintong vs Mark Allen
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