Stephen Hendry snooker blog
Posts tagged Judd Trump
Stephen Maguire beats Judd Trump in thrilling contest
0502 days
by Ismail Vedat
in Uncategorized
Scotland’s Stephen Maguire beat Judd Trump 3-2 to reach the last 16 of the snooker World Open last night in Glasgow.
Four-time ranking event winner Maguire took the opening frame after making a break of 40, but Trump hit back immediately after knocking in a break of 51.
Maguire edged in front once again after making a 132 and had chances to wrap up the match, but when he jumped the final brown off the table, he conceded the frame despite trailing by 15 points with 22 on. Referee Jan Verhaas warned the Scotsman for the early concession of the frame.
Trump was presented with a chance in the deciding frame, but he missed a difficult blue to the centre pocket when the score was 24-31. Maguire sealed the win by adding 33 points to his total and book his place in the next round.
“I played well, I just missed a couple,” said Maguire. “The worst was that brown in the fourth frame, although I didn’t think I’d hit it hard it enough for it to jump off the table. I get warned in nearly every match but I’m not going to do it twice. Judd had a chance at 2-2 so lucky for me he didn’t take it.”
In the night’s other match, Martin Gould beat Matthew Couch 3-0, making a break of 89 along the way to advance to the last 16. “I played very well and felt at ease,” Gould said.
Snooker’s record breakers keep on coming
0734 days
by Elisabeth
in Uncategorized
Snooker is a sport that is slow enough to encourage pondering. Every now and then we find ourselves wondering if what we’re seeing is something unique and spectacular or just a common occurrence.
Keeping track of all the records and statistics isn’t easy when it comes to a sport that has been played professionally for decades.
There have been quite a few stunning records throughout the years, yet still new players keep breaking them. One kind of record that seems to be beaten constantly are in the “youngest player ever to…” category. For example we had grown used to the fact that Ronnie O’Sullivan was the youngest player to score a maximum break but then Judd Trump beat that record in 2004 and in 2007 Ding Junhui became the youngest player to score a televised maximum break.
So, what is the most impressive snooker record ever, all categories? Well, Joe Davis’s 15 World Championship titles is a fair candidate, you can’t argue with that. But then again, Stephen Hendry’s seven titles in modern times might be even more amazing considering the big increase in competition since 1946 when Davis won his last World Championship. Hendry’s 36 ranking titles is also a jaw-dropping achievement. Despite Steve Davis’s legendary status he’s quite far behind with his 28.
Even though maximum breaks don’t automatically mean you will win the match (we have seen enough matches ending in favour of the player who didn’t make the maximum to establish that) they still cause the most awe among spectators. The two players who have provided us with the most maximum breaks are O’Sullivan and Hendry who have both scored nine each. However, they have yet to score a 155 break, the absolute highest break possible in snooker. The only player who has reportedly made one is Jamie Cope. Except for the obvious skills needed to make a maximum break, luck is also required to compile a “super maximum break” of155. A free ball has to be involved which is something you can’t exactly control by yourself.
The fastest maximum break was made by Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1997 and was over in five minutes and 20 seconds. Will it ever be beaten? However, quite surprisingly O’Sullivan doesn’t hold the record for the fastest frame, no, it was made by Tony Drago in 1996 who won a frame in three minutes and thirty-one seconds.
The most annoying attempt at a maximum was probably that of Ken Doherty in 2000 when he missed the final black off its spot at the Masters.
A record that might not be very flattering is the one for the longest frame. It was played in the 2008 China Open between Shaun Murphy and Dave Harold and lasted 93 minutes and 12 seconds. The longest match was one of the most classic and famous matches ever played, namely the 1985 World Championship final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis. It lasted 890 minutes and went to the final black ball. But the match will most likely be remembered as the most exciting rather than the longest.
No matter how many complicated records you break (such as “the second-youngest player to win five consecutive frames in a professional tournament”), entertainment value might still rate higher. After all, people will remember exciting matches first and foremost and tend to forget exact figures.
Carter marches on
0740 days
by Rob Swan
in Uncategorized
The reigning Welsh Open champion Ali Carter faced a stern test in the form of Neil Robertson at the Newport Centre yesterday, but once again proved his worth in this rankings tournament with a performance sure to make him a strong favourite for a place in Sunday’s final.
A comfortable 5-2 victory against the Australian was a clear indicator that Carter is on course to reach the tournament’s latter stages. However, he will now play another of the sport’s in-form players in the quarter-finals – the conqueror of Stephen Hendry – Ryan Day.
Carter’s match against Robertson was far from the classic many had anticipated before the first shot of the evening session, but the 30-year-old displayed the type of ruthlessness which champions are renowned for producing when it matters most.
A superb break of 115 at a pivotal time in the match put the 2009 Welsh Open winner firmly on course for a place in the last eight; and when Robertson missed a green in the seventh frame with the score at 46-35, Carter duly obliged in putting an end to the game by potting a final black.
Robertson, who won this rankings event in 2007, had been outclassed by a man on a mission to become the first player to win consecutive Welsh Open titles since Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2004 and ’05.
Meanwhile, the unfancied Day triumphed against Hendry in the last 16 to seal a quarter-final berth. Competing in his homeland, Day was largely written off because of his poor record against the Scottish legend – four defeats in as many matches for the Welshman – however, he sealed a brilliant 5-3 victory to send home a delighted crowd away from the Newport Centre.
The last of the first-round matches were also decided last night, with the second round set to be concluded by this evening.
Ding Junhui became yet another big-name Chinese casualty in the opening rounds of this competition – meaning that not one player from the country will feature in the tournament’s second round. The world No. 13 was beaten 5-3 by Jamie Cope despite some impressive breaks of his own – including a 127.
Cope will no doubt be buoyed by yesterday’s victory, but he will need to see off the challenge of the world’s best player this afternoon if he’s to reach the last eight. Not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination and one which is extremely difficult to envisage him passing.
There were also first round wins for Welshman Mark Williams and 32-year-old Scot Graeme Dott, who has set up an intriguing last 16 match against his compatriot John Higgins.
The reigning champion of the Championship League, Judd Trump, couldn’t quite put enough pressure on the winner of this month’s prestigious Masters tournament, Mark Selby. Trump, who advanced to the winner’s group of this year’s Championship League just last week, lost 5-2 to the Jester from Leicester. Perhaps this tournament came slightly too earlier for the 20-year-old but there’s no doubt he will be a major threat in this rankings event and others like it in the forthcoming years.
The remaining six matches of the quarter-finals will be contested today over two separate sessions. The first one will begin at 1pm and will feature a wealth of snooker talent including Stephen Maguire, Matthew Stephens and the Rocket himself.
Into the evening session, and Andrew Higginson and Mark Williams will go head-to-head, as will Mark Selby and Mark King before the much-anticipated battle of the Scots – Dott v Higgins.
So, the rankings event is hotting up nicely with four days left to play. Is anyone capable of stopping Carter in his tracks in this competition?
Rob Swan
Trump triumphant in Group Three of Championship League
0748 days
by Rob Swan
in Uncategorized
Judd Trump, the 2009 Championship League winner, moved a step closer to a return to the Premier League Snooker competition by winning Group Three of 2010’s Championship League, last night.
The 20-year-old sealed his place in the winners’ group after defeating Mark Allen, 3-2, in the Group Three play-off final; and also overcame the challenges of Neil Robertson, Marco Fu, Ali Carter and Joe Perry earlier in the session.
Trump had previously failed to qualify from Group One and Two, but he made sure of his place in the winners’ group after beating Carter 3-0 in the play-off semi-final, before a narrow 3-2 win against Allen.
The left-handed player had enjoyed a tremendous start on day one of Group Three, winning all four of his first four matches, and only slipped up against Stephen Hendry on day two of the group.
“I’ve played decently in spells but I probably played better in the first two groups as I’m still missing a few easy balls,” Trump said.
“I enjoy this event, I don’t know what it is about it but I just relax and play well. It’s a good tournament and I like the atmosphere.
“It’s just more quick-fire compared to other competitions and the best-of-five format suits me.”
He now joins Stephen Maguire and John Higgins in the Championship League winners’ group, which is scheduled to take place in the last week of March. The winner of that will be guaranteed a place in the Premier League Snooker competition, and Trump will be keen to get there again after reaching the semi-finals of last year’s tournament.
An exciting and talented youngster, Trump caught the attention of the snooker world in 2004 by hitting a competitive maximum break of 147 aged just 14 years and 208 days. It was a remarkable achievement made all the more exciting by the fact he had broken Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record set in 1991.
Since then, the Bristolian – nicknamed Haircut 100 because of his boyband hairstyle – has continued to progress at a fast pace, and is expected to be a major challenger for the big prizes in the sport before too long.
Rob Swan
Championship League delight for Higgins
0760 days
by Rob Swan
in Uncategorized
John Higgins produced a brilliant display in last night’s Championship League Group Two playoff final to seal his place in March’s winners’ group.
The 34-year-old Scot secured his passage through to the playoffs with four wins out of six in the initial group stages, including a 3-0 hammering over Championship League debutant Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Rocket rarely got going in the competition – his mind presumably occupied with thoughts of next week’s showpiece event at Wembley Arena. Just two wins for the current Masters champion resulted in elimination from the tournament, while Mark Selby was knocked out after he also suffered four defeats.
Higgins, though, was in fine form throughout the day. Barring a couple of brief slip-ups against Marco Fu and Ali Carter, the three-time world champion got better as the day progressed, and by the evening had hit top gear.
His toughest test came against the reigning Championship League holder, Judd Trump, in the playoff semi-finals. The 20-year-old came out of the blocks flying and appeared on course to reach the final himself after the opening two frames.
But 2-0 up and seemingly in control, Higgins was forced to showcase his quality and determination, and pulled the game back from the brink to 2-2.
And in the fifth and final frame, a quite brilliant 98-0 win saw Higgins into the final, where he faced Carter.
Playing in his home county, Carter was keen to win the playoff final to book his place in March’s winners’ group; but it was the on-song Higgins who dominated proceedings, capitalising on his opponent’s every mistake.
A 3-0 whitewash earned the Scot £3,900 in prize money, and he will be back in action next Wednesday in Round 2 of the Masters against Mark Allen.
Meanwhile, the Championship League will now take a week’s break before Group Three of the competition gets underway on January 18th.
Rob Swan
Maguire into Championship League winners group
0762 days
by Rob Swan
in Uncategorized
Stephen Maguire continued his Masters preparation with an impressive 3-0 victory over Mark Selby in the Group One final of the Championship League.
The Livewire was on top throughout, and won the opening frame after breaks of 33 and 59. The second was slightly less comprehensive for the Glasgow-born player, but Maguire still produced a break of 33 to put victory well within his reach.
He duly grabbed the opportunity with both hands in the third frame – a break of 71 sealing his place into the Championship League winners group.
Maguire sealed his passage into the play-off final in dramatic fashion. He lost the first two frames against his opponent, Ali Carter, in the semi-final but stormed back to win the match 3-2 – producing a quite brilliant 140 in frame three, in the process.
Meanwhile, Selby saw off the challenge of 2009′s champion Judd Trump with a 3-1 victory in the semis.
Trump, the defending champion, had levelled proceedings in the second frame, but a superb break of 128 by the Jester from Leicester in third turned the match on its head. And in the fourth and final frame, breaks of 33 and 43 earned Selby a place in the play-off final.
Although he was defeated, the 2008 Masters winner still amassed £1400 in prize money – the same amount as the Group One winner, Maguire.
The Scot will now play either Mark King or the legendary Jimmy White in Round 2 of the Masters next Monday, and will be hoping his Championship League form will continue into next week’s prestigious tournament, where he will be looking to build on last year’s quarter-final finish.
Rob Swan
Trump experiences mixed Championship League start
0763 days
by Rob Swan
in Uncategorized
The current champion of the Championship League, Judd Trump, enjoyed two wins in Group One of the competition before a defeat by Mark Selby in the final match of the evening.
Trump, who beat Selby by three frames to two in last year’s Championship League final, beat Ryan Day 3-1 and inflicted a 3-0 whitewash over John Higgins, but was comfortably beaten 3-1 by the Jester from Leicester at Crondon Park.
The 20-year-old hit one century break to add to his five from 2009, but while the focus was mainly on the reigning champion, Stephen Maguire had the best night out of all seven competitors in Group One.
The Livewire went unbeaten on the first day’s play, with impressive wins against Shaun Murphy, Higgins and Ali Carter.
Carter was only narrowly defeated by Maguire, though, and the 30-year-old racked up £1100 in prize money – the highest sum of the evening – after a comprehensive 3-0 win against Ryan Day, and the result which guaranteed to make snooker fans stand up and take notice: a 3-2 win against last year’s finalist Selby.
Meanwhile, Murphy endured a nightmare start to the competition with a brace of 3-0 defeats to Maguire and Carter, before an equally unimpressive 3-1 defeat against Higgins.
The 2005 world champion was eliminated in the group stages of 2009’s tournament and isn’t fancied to progress any further this year.
And finally, Day also had a day to forget after a poor start to the campaign with three defeats from his first three matches.
The remaining Group One fixtures will take place today, so stay tuned to http://www.stephen-hendry.com/ for the latest results.
Rob Swan
Champion Murphy makes winning start
0792 days
by Elisabeth
in Uncategorized
Most of the first UK Championship matches this weekend were quite predictable. The match between Stephen Maguire and Michael Holt was exciting for a while when Holt reduced 4-1 to 4-4, however, he was never really a threat to Maguire. The match finally ended 9-6.
Gerard Greene seemed to have a hard time with defending champion Shaun Murphy. For Murphy this match seemed to be a walk in the park and he calmly carried on his mission of defending the championship title, winning 9-5.
Mark King beat Anthony Hamilton to a pulp – 9-2. The match between Graeme Dott and Mark Williams ended with the same result in favour of Williams, though this was due to illness. Dott unfortunately had to withdraw at 6-2.
Steve Davis showed impressive form against Stephen Hendry and the match was quite exciting all the way until 6-6 but then Hendry suddenly found his second wind and took three consecutive frames.
Ricky Walden managed to put at least some pressure on world provisional number one John Higgins but in the end he didn’t have what it took and lost 9-7.
The match between Mark Selby and Jamie Cope was probably the most random this weekend. Cope lead 8-4 halfway through the match but Selby made an amazing comeback and won.
Neil Robertson beat Tom Ford 9-3, not very surprisingly.
Stuart Bingham’s match against Joe Perry appeared to be a breeze, ending 9-4.
Peter Ebdon beat Judd Trump 9-4 and Ryan Day almost made a maximum break but unfortunately he failed on the brown ball. He then went on to lose the match 9-3 to Liang Wenbo.
Mark Allen and Stephen Lee played an incredibly even match, chasing each other until the very last frame when Lee clinched the victory.
We’re eagerly awaiting today’s matches.
Not just good for being young
0795 days
by Elisabeth
in Uncategorized
Judd Trump, born in 1989, keeps hearing he’s the youngest player ever to accomplish certain feats. Trump was the youngest player to make a maximum break at the age of fourteen, beating Ronnie O’Sullivan’s previous record. In the 2005 Welsh Open he became the youngest player to qualify for the final stages of a ranking tournament and in 2007 he reached first round of the World Championship and… yes, you guessed right, became the youngest player to do so.
Trump, having reached the age of 20, is slowly getting away from the “youngster” label that has been imposed on him. His records of being “the youngest ever” to do something are getting sparser and the time has come for him to show the world that he’s a great player that can do wonders. Not just because he’s young but because he’s simply a very talented player.
Even though he’s quite inexperienced when it comes to bigger, televised tournaments his future looks bright. Having beaten some big names like Joe Perry, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams and currently being number 30 in the rankings, Trump has shown that he’s got what it takes when his form is good. Still, with his best ranking tournament achievement being reaching the semi finals in the 2008 Grand Prix, Trump has a lot left to prove if he wants to be remembered as something other than that young rising star.