Championship League: Ryan Day sends Judd Trump crashing out; Luca Brecel through

With Trump, Day, David Gilbert and Barry Hawkins making up by far the strongest group of the tournament to date, Day produced when it was needed most to give himself a chance of winning his first title of what has been an otherwise forgettable season.

Trump was widely expected to step up a gear having not needed to be at his best to progress to the second group stage but he was overshadowed by Day who made a breathtaking start to Wednesday's proceedings, confining the world number one to his chair as he reeled off breaks of 122, 107 and 60 on the way to an impressive whitewash.

Despite again looking a little short of his best, Trump kept his hopes alive when beating Hawkins 3-1 but after Day had won the final frame of his match with Gilbert to earn a share of the spoils, Trump needed to beat Gilbert in order to leave the Welshman with work to do in the group's finale against Hawkins.

As it was, Gilbert summed up his own day of mixed fortunes - moments of brilliance and unforced errors on show in equal measure - as he ended his bid with a valiant, but ultimately failed 147 maximum break attempt that contained 15 reds and 15 blacks before the final yellow was missed from distance.

A third drawn match of the day wasn't enough to halt his exit and it also ended Trump's hopes as Day was left only needing to register a single frame in the final match against Hawkins to book his place in Thursday's final.

A run of 62 in the opening frame ensured no anxious moments for Day and although Hawkins hit back with contributions of 114 and 89 to win the second and fourth frames, a 2-2 draw left Day clear at the top of the table and with genuine hopes of going all the way.

Day told ITV Sport afterwards: "I'm really pleased with the way I played all day. To start off against Judd [Trump], it doesn't get any tougher than that, and I came out of the traps quickly before a good draw against Dave [Gilbert].

"I was trying to do the sums and realised I only needed one frame in the last match there so I was delighted to get that first frame and secure my place in tomorrow's final.

"I just played lovely and felt great all day. It's been a long time since anyone has played competitive snooker and I think the break might have done me a bit of good, give me a bit of a boost.

"I've felt okay with my game in general but I didn't really enjoy going away and playing, which is strange because that's something I've never really struggled with.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow's final now."

Carty's dream run over

Ashley Carty's dream run in Milton Keynes came to an end as Luca Brecel scrapped his way to victory in Group A.

A win for Carty in his final match against Mark Joyce would have secured the world number 53 a place in the final but when Joyce won the opening two frames of their encounter, Brecel was confirmed the group winner.

Joyce went on to win 3-1, ensuring that all four players were split by just two points.

Brecel's own day consisted of a pair of drawn matches, the last of which came against Gary Wilson, who would have topped the group himself had he been able to complete a counter attack in frame four of their clash when closing in on a 3-1 triumph.

Wednesday's results and tables

Group B

1. Ryan Day (Q) P 3 W 2 L 0 D 1 FD +3 Pts 5
2. Judd Trump P 3 W 1 L 1 D 1 FD -1 Pts 4
3. David Gilbert P 3 W 0 L 0 D 3 FD 0 Pts 3
4. Barry Hawkins P 3 W 0 L 1 D 2 FD -2 Pts 2

Judd Trump 0-3 Ryan Day

David Gilbert 2-2 Barry Hawkins

David Gilbert 2-2 Ryan Day

Judd Trump 3-1 Barry Hawkins

Barry Hawkins 2-2 Ryan Day

Judd Trump 2-2 David Gilbert

Group A

Group A

1. Luca Brecel P 3 W 1 L 0 D 2 FD +2 Pts 5
2. Gary Wilson P 3 W 1 L 1 D 1 FD +1 Pts 4
3. Mark Joyce P 3 W 1 L 1 D 1 FD -1 Pts 4
4. Ashley Carty P 3 W 1 L 1 D 1 FD -2 Pts 3

Luca Brecel 2-2 Mark Joyce

Gary Wilson 1-3 Ashley Carty

Gary Wilson 3-0 Mark Joyce

Luca Brecel 3-1 Ashley Carty

Gary Wilson 2-2 Luca Brecel

Mark Joyce 3-1 Ashley Carty