Trump Reaches Second Phase
World number one Judd Trump booked his place in the second phase of the WST Pro Series by topping Group O in Milton Keynes.
Trump won his first six matches of the day to ensure progression. He defeated Sean Maddocks, Steven Hallworth, Jimmy White, Barry Pinches, Jamie Jones and Ryan Day, before losing his final match 2-0 against Hossein Vafaei. That result did no harm to Trump, who still topped the group.
The Ace in the Pack remains in the hunt to beat his own record of most ranking titles won in a single season. Trump has notched up five wins so far this season, with the Pro Series, next week’s Cazoo Tour Championship and the Betfred World Championship to come. He set the current record of six in a single campaign last season.
Four players had a chance of capturing second spot going into today’s final set of matches. Day, White, Jones and Hallworth all went into the concluding ties level on 12 points, with Day holding a slight edge on frame difference. In the end, Day defeated Hallworth 2-0 to ensure he progressed, rendering Jones’ 2-1 win over White academic.
Trump said: “I got it all done and dusted early on. I didn’t have to panic in the last couple of games as I always knew I was in control. It was about getting some good match practice. I’ve had the same tip on all season and I decided to take it off and come here and play ahead of a couple of big events coming up.
“For me I’ve already done better than I did last season. Even though I’ve won less tournaments, I’ve played in a few less events. The overall standard and consistency has been better as well and I’m still in with a chance of breaking that record. It would be nice to equal it at the Tour Championship or the World Championship. I’m in a great position for both of them.”
Trump and Day now join Stuart Bingham, Oliver Lines, Mark Selby, Zhou Yuelong, Dominic Dale and Ricky Walden in group 4 of the second phase, which takes place on Saturday March 20th.
Click here for the group tables
Phase two begins tomorrow from 10am with three-time World Champion Mark Williams among the players in action.
Click here for the phase two schedule
Click here for the detailed format of play
Fans around the world can watch the event on the Matchroom.Live website – for details click here.