Williams and Murphy reach Xian Grand Prix final

Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy advanced to the final of the 2025 Xian Grand Prix on Sunday in Xian, setting up a meeting between two of snooker's most experienced champions on Monday. Williams defeated countryman Daniel Wells 6-3 in the first semifinal, while Murphy recovered from an early deficit to beat Gary Wilson 6-4 in the second.

Williams trailed early but regained control with a dominant session that included a 129 break in the seventh frame. He acknowledged his struggles across the week and said he was surprised to have reached the final. "Honestly I do not know how I am in the final. I have been in no form at all," Williams said. "I have got to play a lot better than that in the final or they are going to trample all over me, but I am in the final and I will try my best."

Murphy, 42, fought back after falling behind to Wilson, producing multiple significant breaks and finishing the match with a 141 in the deciding frame. The victory keeps Murphy on a run of strong results after his recent British Open triumph, and he said he was enjoying his current form while remaining realistic about its longevity. "I felt I had not done that much wrong at 3-1 down," Murphy said....