Related Post
| Dates: 23 November to 6 December Venue: Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes |
| Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app from Saturday, 28 November. |
World number one Judd Trump held off Ricky Walden’s fightback to reach the quarter-finals of the UK Championship.
Trump severely punished errors from Walden with breaks of 85 and 65 to open up a commanding 4-0 advantage.
Walden rallied by taking three of the next four frames, including a 70 break, but Trump took the one required to comfortably advance with a 6-3 victory.
Trump faces rival Kyren Wilson or former world champion Graeme Dott next, with the pair meeting in the evening.
Englishman Jack Lisowski made a century and further breaks of 65 and 62 to beat China’s Xiao Guodong 6-4 and reach the last eight where he will face Zhou Yuelong.
Trump extends winning streak
With 12 ranking title triumphs since the start of the 2018-19 season, including the English Open and Northern Ireland Open this term, Trump has elevated his game to a different level, becoming a formidable attacking force yet equalling adept in the tactical department.
Although world number 46 Walden improved after the interval, Trump maintained control and extended his winning run to 13 matches, last losing in the Champion of Champions semi-final on 7 November.
Trump told BBC Two: “It is never easy against the top players and Ricky is a lot better player than his ranking is, I knew it was going to be tough. When you go 4-0 up, the other player has nothing to lose so is relaxed and he put me under pressure a bit towards the end.
“I am still practicing three or four hours a day and trying to improve and keep that number one spot for as long as possible.
“People are appreciative of having tournaments on, it still feels like the UK Championship, still feels special and you know it is a big event.
“I still get the butterflies walking into the venues, I want to win every game and don’t want this winning streak to end.”
‘Obscene’ Trump potting – analysis
1991 world champion John Parrott on BBC Two: “Ricky Walden gave himself too much to do, it was a valiant effort but you cannot give a 4-0 lead to the world number one
“With his cue power, Trump takes on shots that other players can’t and pulls off some screamers. One long red that he potted was obscene.”
Six-time world champion Steve Davis: “I don’t think Judd is in a hurry to win matches, he was not attacking too much and is waiting for big chances to open up.
“He is an opportunist and that makes him very difficult to play against. As an opponent, there are very few hiding places because he is so adept at pulling off shots.”
Ten more events announced for 2020-21 season
The World Snooker Tour (WST) has announced the second half of the season, with no events to take place in China due to travel restrictions and government quarantine rules.
A total of 10 more events will take place from January to May including a new WST Pro Series to be played over three rounds.
All events so far this season have taken place at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.
The Masters in January will see the return of spectators, with organisers hoping to allow up to 1,000 fans for each session.
WST chairman Barry Hearn said: “This is absolutely fantastic for the fans around the globe who have a relentless appetite for watching our sport on television and online, as well as the players who will be kept extremely busy competing for titles and prize money.
“I believe that snooker has adapted to the challenges posed by the current climate better than any other sport.”
World Snooker Tour dates for remainder of season:
(All venues are yet to be announced, unless otherwise stated)
3-9 January: Championship League stage one.
10-17 January: The Masters. Alexandra Palace, London
18-24 January: WST Pro Series rounds 1 to 7.
27-31 January: German Masters.
4-7 February: Shoot Out.
8-14 February: Championship League stage two.
15-21 February: Welsh Open.
22-28 February: Players Championship.
1-7 March: Gibraltar Open.
9-17 March: WST Pro Series rounds 8 to 16.
18-19 or 20-21 March: WST Pro Series final stages.
22-28 March: Tour Championship.
29 March-April 4: Championship League stage three.
7-14 April: World Championship, qualifiers, English Institute of Sport – Sheffield.
17 April-3 May: World Championship. Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on the BBC app.
