Judd Trump v Oliver Lines live stream | Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters preview
Trump begins his title defence in Jeddah (Every Second Media/Alamy Live News)
Judd Trump launches the defence of his Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters crown against good friend Oliver Lines on Tuesday.
The world number one became the inaugural winner of snooker’s ‘fourth major’ last season in the most dramatic fashion.
Trump trailed 62-0 in the deciding frame of the final against Mark Williams. Yet, after the Welshman missed a red, he produced a nerveless 72 clearance to clinch victory on the black and the bumper top prize of £500,000.
That was one of three titles the Ace won last season, during which he also landed the Shanghai Masters and UK Championship.
Although his title defence in Shanghai ended at the quarter-final stage last month, Trump looked sharp in his opening two matches of the campaign with six centuries along the way.
He will be a heavy favourite to make a winning start in Saudi Arabia against his good friend in Lines, who has already come through three rounds.
The Leeds left-hander opened with a 4-1 victory over Liam Pullen, then edged out Matthew Selt in a deciding frame, before putting Noppon Saengkham to the sword 5-2.
This marks only Lines’ fourth appearance in the last 32 of any ranking event. Interestingly, they have all come since the start of last season, including a career best run to the British Open semi-finals.
The 30-year-old also has previous experience of beating Trump in a big event that he will look to draw inspiration from, having enjoyed a memorable 6-2 success in the opening round of the 2016 UK Championship.
A sixth-round showdown with either Ali Carter or Gary Wilson awaits the winner of this clash.
The match breaks off at 11am BST on Tuesday and will be contested over the best of nine frames at the Green Halls in Jeddah.
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