Trump staves off Wilson fightback to reach UK Championship semi-finals

Jonathan Davies in UK Championship 5 December 2020

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Ursenbacher subjects O’Sullivan to shock early exit at the UK Championship

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Robertson edges out Trump in late-night thriller to complete UK Championship hat-trick

Trump is on course for a £150,000 bonus in Milton Keynes

Judd Trump secured his first UK Championship semi-final appearance for six years after a hard-earned 6-4 victory over rival Kyren Wilson in Milton Keynes on Friday.

The world number one came flying out of the blocks; racing into a 3-0 lead after just half an hour at the Marshall Arena.

However, an outrageous fluke in the next frame swung the pendulum in favour of Wilson, who clawed back to level at 4-4.

Nevertheless, the 2011 champion regained his composure to dominate the next two frames and secure his semi-final place.

In what was the seventh meeting between the players in 2020, Trump settled quickly into his stride with breaks of 73, 102 and 106 opening up a commanding 3-0 advantage.

But a huge slice of fortune in the next saw world number four Wilson stop the rot, while he made it 3-2 on the black before a run of 64 levelled the contest.

Trump controlled the next to edge his nose back in front, but was pegged back once more as the Warrior responded with 88.

The four-time ranking event winner had the first chance in frame nine, but a missed blue was pounced on by the Ace, who rattled in 71 to restore his advantage.

He then controlled the next with runs of 63 and 55 setting up a last-four date with Lu Ning, who overcame Joe Perry by the same scoreline.

Despite making seven centuries earlier in the week, the Chinese cueist’s high-scoring power deserted him as he fell 4-3 behind from 3-1 up.

Nevertheless, the world number 40 soon levelled and produced a nerveless 39 clearance to go 5-4 up on the black after former Masters finalist Perry missed frame-ball red with the rest.

A semi-finalist at the 2019 Gibraltar Open, Lu also demonstrated great composure in the next, with a neat run of 58 enough to secure his first appearance in the last four of a UK-based event.

Earlier in the day, Neil Robertson hit two tons on the way to a commanding 6-2 victory over Mark Selby.

Seeking his first semi-final appearance since lifting his second UK title in 2015, the Aussie made breaks of 75, 122 and 63 to open up a 3-0 lead.

Fellow two-time champion Selby responded by controlling the next two frames to cut the gap to 3-2.

However, the Thunder found another gear with runs of 56 and 91, before a stunning 130 sealed the deal.

His semi-final opponent will be Zhou Yuelong, who continued his groundbreaking run with an impressive 6-4 win over Jack Lisowski.

The Chinese ace, who can qualify for the Masters by reaching the final in Milton Keynes, made breaks of 69 and 99 on to the way to booking his place in the last four.

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