Welsh Open 2023: Robert Milkins beats Tian Pengfei to reach second snooker ranking event final of career

Robert Milkins defeated Tian Pengfei 6-2 in the first semi-final of the Welsh Open to reach his second ranking event final. In a match that featured a contrast of styles, fast and flowing Milkins came out on top and also kept his hopes of winning the £150,000 BetVictor Series bonus alive, should he win the tournament. Ad He will face Shaun Murphy or Pang Junxu, who play their semi-final at 19:00 on Saturday in Llandudno on Eurosport and discovery+.

Welsh OpenWelsh Open LIVE – On-song Milkins powers past Tian to reach final6 HOURS AGO «I don't know how I'm going to feel playing for the money as well,» Milkins said in the Eurosport studio. «It's been in my head the last three days! »I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing having that bonus around. It's tough enough trying to win a final.

«With that [the bonus] as well it's going to be difficult. But, sometimes, when you have got that much pressure on you, you can play alright.» It looked like Tian was going to win the opening frame when he was 67 points ahead before he went in-off. A couple more fouls and a 61 clearance saw Milkins steal the frame and he soon doubled his advantage with a century to lead 2-0.

Tian pulled a frame back after taking advantage of a fluke, which allowed him to play a snooker that Milkins couldn’t get out of. Similarly to the first frame, Tian had a big lead and was 48-4 ahead, having frozen Milkins out for half an hour, but missed a pink to the middle which allowed the Englishman to get back in the frame. It all came down to the final red, which both players had potting attempts at, but it was Milkins who finally slotted it in, along with five of the colours up to the pink, to lead 3-1 at the mid-session interval.