German Masters snooker 2021 – Judd Trump battles past Ding Junhui to reach semi-finals

Updated 29/01/2021 at 18:39 GMT

Judd Trump will meet Barry Hawkins in the last four of the German Masters despite struggling against Ding Junhui. The world number one is seeking to win his fourth title of the season after successes at the English Open, Northern Ireland Open and World Grand Prix. One pot in particular had the commentators purring.

Judd Trump (World Snooker)

Image credit: Eurosport

Judd Trump put in a mixed display as he struggled into the German Masters semi-finals with a 5-3 win over Ding Junhui.

The match will be remembered for a moment of inspiration in the second frame when the world number one manoeuvred the cue ball up and down the table to remove a red from the cushion and into easy potting territory.

But it was an otherwise disjointed display from the defending champion, who saw his early 3-0 lead cut to 3-2 and then 4-3, with Ding left to rue his slow start.

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Ding had warned his rival before the match that he was out to end his 13-month wait for a snooker title, but back-to-back breaks of 83 and 93 were not enough to inspire a comeback.

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Trump will meet Barry Hawkins in the last four in Milton Keynes, which is again playing stand-in host.

The 31-year-old, who missed the Masters earlier this month after testing positive for Covid-19, has already won the English Open, Northern Ireland Open and World Grand Prix this season.