Perry Topples Trump

Judd Trump rued missed chances as he lost 4-3 to Joe Perry in the last 16 of the BetVictor Welsh Open in Cardiff.

Bristol’s Trump will feel he should have won 4-2 but squandered opportunities in the sixth frame and instead it’s Perry who goes through to tomorrow’s quarter-finals to meet last year’s runner up Ben Woollaston. Match schedule

Trump, still waiting for his first title of the season, started well with a break of 70 to take the opening frame and he led 54-0 in the second before Perry made an excellent 70 clearance. The next two were also shared then Trump took the fifth to lead 3-2.

When Perry missed a black leading 65-10 in frame six, his opponent had a chance to clear up, but failed to gain position on the final blue. He later potted blue and pink but couldn’t get position on the black. A bout of safety followed, and Trump’s missed attempt from distance allowed Perry to pot the black for 3-3. The Cambridgeshire cueman took advantage by winning the decider with a run of 55.

“I’m delighted, it’s the first time I have beaten Judd in a big tournament,” said Perry, who won his first ranking title at the Players Championship last season. “I felt good out there, I was calm. When Judd was clearing up in the sixth frame I was thinking about the roadworks on the M4 on the way home. I dodged a bullet there and then made a good break in the decider.”

Trump said: “I felt in control and I had enough chances so it’s my own fault that I lost. I was a bit unlucky not to get position on the black in the sixth frame, if I had got the right cannon I’d be sitting here having won 4-2. But then I had another chance in the last frame and missed a black. I was struggling with my concentration and missed too many balls.”

Ding Junhui set up an intriguing match with Neil Robertson by beating Luca Brecel 4-2. China’s Ding has suffered a series of early exits from ranking events this season but has improved this week and compiled breaks of 70, 89, 87 and 55 tonight.

“I feel happy because I am getting better,” said Ding, whose run in Cardiff has assured his place in the World Grand Prix next month. “I always get a lot of support from Chinese fans in Wales. They give me power and it makes me want to do well and share victory with them.”