Trump sinks Lei to seal Champion of Champions semi-final spot
Trump overcame Bai Yulu and Lei Peifan in Leicester on Monday
Judd Trump is the first man through to the Champion of Champions semi-finals, following a 6-2 victory over Lei Peifan on Monday.
The 2021 champion booked his place in last four for the seventh time at the popular invitational event, at which he is an ever-present since 2013.
Trump was far from his fluent best on the opening day at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, but dropped just three frames on the way to winning Group Two.
The Ace, who also beat Women’s World champion Bai Yulu 4-1, will play the Group Three winner in the semi-finals later this week.
“It’s always a great feeling to get off to a strong start in this event,” he said.
“Every player in the field is capable of beating anyone, so you have to be sharp from the very first frame.
“I felt good out there today, found my rhythm early, and hopefully I can carry that form through the rest of the week. I just tried to play my best, and I feel like I did that today.”
Trump recovered from losing the opening frame against Bai earlier in the day, reeling off the next four frames to avoid a seismic upset.
That set up a clash with Lei, who marked his debut with a victory over 2017 champion Shaun Murphy in the other group semi-final.
The Scottish Open champion made 47 with the first opportunity of the group final to lead 51-0, but Trump countered with 60 to pinch the opening frame on the black.
Lei responded well with a break of 101 – the first century of the tournament – but his opponent controlled the next four frames, with a top run of 60 along the way, to move within one of victory.
The Chinese stopped the rot with a neat clearance of 72 to keep his faint hopes alive, though the reprieve was short-lived as Trump got over the line with 71 in the following frame.
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Champion of Champions 2025 Results
Monday November 10
Group Two
Semi-Finals
Shaun Murphy 1-4 Lei Peifan
Judd Trump 4-1 Bai Yulu
Final
Judd Trump 6-2 Lei Peifan