Two-ton Trump through to Players Championship quarter-finals

Judd Trump made a winning start to his quest for a third Players Championship title with a 6-2 victory over Lei Peifan on Tuesday.

The Ace, who lifted this trophy in 2017 and 2020, hit two century breaks on the way to setting up a quarter-final showdown with Shaun Murphy at the Telford International Centre.

Trump is the only player to have appeared in every edition of this event since it became the Players Championship in 2017.

The world number one made a purposeful start against debutant Lei, with breaks of 80 and 114 helping establish a 3-0 lead.

Lei was making his bow in the elite event following his Scottish Open triumph in December, and he stopped the rot with 102, before a run of 47 reduced the deficit to 3-2.

However, Trump was not to be denied as runs of 74 and 139 moved him to the brink of victory, which he secured on the black in the following frame.

Next up for him will be a showdown with another two-time winner of this tournament in Murphy, who withstood a spirited fightback from Barry Hawkins to prevail a 6-4 victor.

The Magician moved 3-0 to the good with breaks of 68, 58 and 70, though Hawkins responded with 80 and 108 to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Despite an 82 from Murphy, who lifted this trophy in 2011 and 2023, contributions of 45, 31 and 57 helped draw the Hawk level at 4-4.

Yet, the Masters champion delivered when it mattered in the final two frames, as breaks of 71 and 123 got him over the line.

Neil Robertson recovered from 4-2 down for a 6-4 victory over Stuart Bingham in a repeat of their World Grand Prix final just over a week ago.

Bingham was whitewashed 10-0 in the Hong Kong showpiece, but ensured there would be no repeat as he opened with breaks of 87 and 69 – sandwiching his opponent’s 88 – for a 2-1 lead.

Ballrun was then on for a potential maximum break in the following frame, but broke down on 112 after narrowly missing an attempted double on the final red.

Robertson responded after the interval by winning two of the next three frames to reduce his arrears to 4-3, before crucially snatching the eighth on the black having required a snooker.

It swung the contest completely in favour of the 2022 champion, who sealed the win with runs of 67, 43 and 42.

That set up a mouth-watering last-eight showdown with Mark Selby, who defeated debutant Si Jiahui 6-3.

The Jester was in fine scoring form with breaks of 123, 75 and 62, but was pegged back on each occasion as Si came from behind on three separate occasions to level at 3-3.

Yet, Selby raised his game further and would not relent, with additional contributions of 99, 78 and 132 completing the victory.

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Players Championship 2025 | Day Two Results

Tuesday March 18

First Round

Neil Robertson 6-4 Stuart Bingham
Mark Selby 6-3 Si Jiahui
Judd Trump 6-2 Lei Peifan
Barry Hawkins 4-6 Shaun Murphy