UK Championship review: Judd Trump and Ding Junhui progress to the third round in York
A review of the action on day five of the UK Championship as Judd Trump sealed his place in the third round with another dominant display.
Trump on song again
Judd Trump marched into the last 32 of the UK Championship with another dazzling performance, this time at the expense of Mei Xi Wen who was trounced 6-1.
The reigning world champion is riding on a crest of a wave at present, having claimed three titles already this term, and judging by his performance in this desperately one-sided affair, he is going to take some stopping in York.
As has become a trademark of Trump's game this season, he won the opening frame before adding breaks of 68 and 86 in frames two and three to race into a 3-0 lead.
He's been classy, consistent and clever over the last 12 months...
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) December 1, 2019
But naughtiness is never far away from @judd147t's game! #baizeofglory @betway pic.twitter.com/ZD0Wf3jZeI
When Trump followed up with a brilliant run of 105 in the fourth frame, Xi Wen was entitled to wave the white flag but to his credit he responded with a fine century of his own, a gutsy break of 127 finally showcasing the talents that have seen him enjoy a solid first half of the season.
Nevertheless, Trump was clearly keen to avoid getting into a scrap and he quickly wrapped up his victory with typically fluent breaks of 51 and 93.
Dott dominates Sijun
Another former world champion also booked his place in round three, Graeme Dott making light work of a disappointing Yuan Sijun.
Dott is in the midst of a solid campaign and he continued that good form here, breaks of 58, 56, 82, 77 and 99 showing his game to be in really shape as he cruised to a 6-0 win.
There was no such luck for Peter Ebdon, though, the veteran succumbing 6-2 to Jack Lisowski who put together contributions of 65, 86, 62 and 60 in a display that suggests he might be capable of improving on his run to the fourth round of this event 12 months ago.
Mixed fortunes for Class of '92
John Higgins and Mark Williams endured contrasting fortunes in their second-round matches.
Higgins made a top break of 103 as he brushed aside Lu Ning 6-1 but Williams suffered another disappointing result, his 6-2 loss to Michael White continuing his quiet campaign to date.
White rattled off breaks of 65, 75, 52, 81 and 64 as he claimed a notable scalp while Liang Wenbo overcame David Grace 6-3 only hours after returning to England following the death of his mother.
Michael White is on fire!
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) December 1, 2019
He wins the first four frames against Mark Williams and we have an upset on the cards...
Can the 2018 world champion mount a comeback?
🔴 Watch the #UKChampionship LIVE
📺 Eurosport 1
📱💻🖥 Eurosport Player: https://t.co/0Fa7uXMVB9 pic.twitter.com/R33EOMl4fm
Ding resurgence continues
Ding Junhui took another step towards reigniting his season with a 6-2 victory over Michael Georgiou.
Such has been the poor start Ding has made to the current season, he now finds himself in danger of losing his spot in the top 16 and missing out on a place at next month's Masters in London.
A confidence-boosting victory in round one will have helped alleviate those fears just a little and was followed by another solid display on Sunday, breaks of 50, 70 and 100 the highlight of a performance that while some way from him best, was plenty encouraging.
- Watch the World Championship LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds
Related links
MOST READ
Next Off
Fixtures & Results
