World Snooker Championship 2021: Day Four preview and order of play – Trump makes Crucible bow

Jonathan Davies in World Snooker Championship 20 April 2021

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Comeback king Kyren Wilson books second-round spot at the World Championship

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Bingham and Lisowski claim last-frame victories on Day Four at the World Snooker Championship

Trump is through to his third Champion of Champions final (Photo by PA Images)

Judd Trump headlines the action on day four of the 2021 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

The runaway world number one launches his quest for a second Crucible title against fellow left-hander Liam Highfield on Tuesday.

Champion here in 2019, Trump is eyeing a sixth ranking title – which would equal his own record – of another hugely impressive season on the tour.

The Ace is one of the heavy favourites to regain the Crucible crown, but must first overcome world number 49 Highfield.

The Stoke-on-Trent cueist came through deciders against Fan Zhengyi and Elliot Slessor during the qualifying rounds, before overcoming Zhou Yuelong to secure a second appearance on snooker’s biggest stage.

Elsewhere, former Masters champion Mark Allen locks horns with Lyu Haotian, aiming to avoid a third consecutive first-round exit from this event.

Although a semi-finalist in 2009, the Pistol has generally struggled to produce his best snooker at the Crucible, but has already captured the Champion of Champions title this term.

Opponent Lyu, ranked 56th in the world, knows what it takes to cause an upset at this venue, having beaten Marco Fu on his debut three years ago, and will be eyeing another scalp in 2021.

The in-form Barry Hawkins – a three-time ranking event semi-finalist this season – will be hoping to enjoy another successful run at the World Championship.

The 2013 runner-up has also reached the semis on four occasions, and gets his latest campaign underway against former Indian Open champion Matthew Selt.

Meanwhile, Ding Junhui and Stuart Bingham play to a conclusion, as do Jack Lisowski and Ali Carter – with both matches finely poised.

Arguably the tie of the opening round, Ding and 2015 champion Bingham did not disappoint on Monday; producing a combined three centuries and three further breaks over 50.

Although, it is the 2016 runner-up that holds the edge at 5-4 after fluking the black in the final frame of the opening session.

Lisowski, a three-time ranking event finalist this term, established the same advantage over two-time Crucible runner-up Carter, having recovered from 3-1 down by reeling off four consecutive frames.

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