UK Championship 2025: Judd Trump sweeps Ding Junhui aside to reach last four
Having opened 2025 by winning the Masters, Murphy is now just two matches away from triumphing in a second Triple Crown event this year.
And unlike his last-16 win over John Higgins, when he fought back to win a decider, his match against Zhang proved to be a far more comfortable affair – albeit both players were well below their best.
A calamitous conclusion to the opening frame from Zhang set the tone for what was to follow.
The 33-year-old from China failed to hit a routine snooker and then went in off the black to lose a frame in which had control following a break of 65.
Murphy enjoyed a run of 88 in the second frame and that was as good as it got, with his only other two half centuries coming in frames five and nine on a night when both players were guilty of some dreadful misses.
“I am delighted to win, but that is about it. We both played under par I think and I made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes which threw me,” admitted Murphy.
“I dropped the rest and nearly clattered the balls, I miscued, I couldn’t tell you the last time I did that and there were a number of totally basic misses.
“Thankfully I got the win. You always have a bad session in a tournament. I am hoping tonight is it.”
Selby, who won the Champion of Champions last month, underlined why he arrived in Yorkshire as one of the favourites.
Breaks of 61 and 115 gave him a 2-1 lead over Hawkins and he was then able to exhibit his renowned matchplay skills to edge three consecutive frames that were all delicately poised.
While Hawkins replied with a wonderful break of 138, Selby sealed his success with a run of 83 to reach the semis for the first time since 2016 – the year of his second UK success.