Trump – I Want To Make My Family Proud
Judd Trump paid tribute to his parents after breezing into the last 32 of the Betway UK Championship with a 6-1 victory over Mei Xiwen.
Trump has been snooker’s dominant force over the past 13 months, winning seven tournaments including the Masters and World Championship. Victory in York next Sunday would make him the first player to hold all three Triple Crown trophies since Mark Williams in 2003.
The 30-year-old from Bristol was watched today by dad Steve, a lorry driver, and mum Georgina – both of whom have helped him throughout his junior and professional career. His humble background helps him put his recent success into perspective.
“I just want to go out there and be honest because my family brought me up to appreciate everything,” said the world number one. “I try my absolute best for my family. They are all massive snooker fans so to make my dad or mum proud is what I try to do.”
He wasted little energy against today’s opponent as breaks of 68, 86 and 105 helped him build a 4-0 lead. China’s Mei pulled one back with a 127 before Trump took the last two frames with runs of 51 and 93.
Trump added: “It’s amazing to give myself the chance to win all three Triple Crowns in the same year, it may never happen again. Ronnie (O’Sullivan) has never done it so it shows how tough it is. At these big BBC events you have to be playing at your absolute best, you always get tough matches from the start.
“Records matter for everyone and you saw that with Ronnie’s reaction to winning the UK last year – I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone celebrate like that. It means more to him than the other players but he doesn’t like to let that on.”
Trump will now meet 54-year-old Nigel Bond, who edged out Louis Heathcote 6-5 in a match which came down to the last few balls. Bond was hauled back from 5-2 to 5-5 but eventually took the decider by potting blue and pink.
Carter And Ding In Masters Face-Off
Ali Carter will play Ding Junhui in the third round in what will be a crucial match in the Race to the Masters. The winner will be well placed to finish the tournament among the world’s top 16 and earn a place at Alexandra Palace next month, while the loser may need to rely on other results.
Carter saw off Robert Milkins 6-2 with a top break of 139. “The matches are all so big here, this tournament has got a very special feel about it like no other,” said Carter. “We love the BBC events and that puts the added pressure on as well.
“I’ve got pedigree and on my day I can beat anyone. I’ve got a few tournaments under my belt so It’s about time I lifted a big one.
“Ding is a national hero in China so financially he’s not under pressure like some of us are. He’s probably enjoyed a bit of time out since becoming a father so his results were bound to suffer. He’s still class player.”
Ding, who hasn’t won a ranking title for over two years, top scored with 100 in a 6-2 defeat of Michael Georgiou.
Jack Lisowski top scored with 86 in a 6-2 win over Peter Ebdon while Riga Masters champion Yan Bingtao made 135 and 106 in a 6-2 defeat of Stuart Carrington.