Welsh Open 2023 snooker recap – Ronnie O’Sullivan whitewashes Ben Mertens as Shaun Murphy dazzles with 145, 147 breaks
Updated 16/02/2023 at 22:38 GMT
It’s moving day at the Welsh Open as our quarter-finalists are decided in Llandudno. Judd Trump kicks off the afternoon session against Daniel Wells, knowing he will play again on Thursday if he progresses. Mark Allen, John Higgins, Shaun Murphy and Jack Lisowski also face the prospect of two matches on one day. Ronnie O’Sullivan, already through to the last 16, faces Ben Mertens tonight.
'It’ll probably come off again' - O'Sullivan on cue tip drama at Welsh Open
Righto, that's us done for tonight
Join us again at 12.45pm tomorrow!
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-4 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 4-2 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 1-4 Yuan SiJun
- Luca Brecel 1-2 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 1-0 Tian Pengfei
- Robert Milkins 1-0 Hossein Vafaei
Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Ben Mertens 4-0!
Ben couldn't get going at all, and Ronnie's got another game with his changed tip under his belt. He meets Higgins on Pengfei next.
O'Sullivan 3-0 Mertens (57-0)
Ben's had a horrible night, and it's not long before he leaves Ronnie another simple starter. I can't see him getting another shot, and we've not even been going an hour.
O'Sullivan 3-0 Mertens (27-0)
Ronnie acknowledges a good safety, then floats in a fine opener from centre to right corner. A blue follows, paths for the black are cleared, and though he runs out of position, he opts not to take on difficult one but instead piut Ben under pressure with a good safety, offering no feel-good gifts.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-4 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 4-2 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 1-4 Yuan SiJun
- Luca Brecel 1-2 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 1-0 Tian Pengfei
O'Sullivan 3-0 Mertens
Last time they played, Ben forced a decider from this position; that doesn't look likely tonight.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Mertens (55-8)
Oh, Ben. He plays the kind of shot you've played yourself, many times, knocking home a straight pink and following it down with the white. His head moved, says Angles, who also thinks he's a bit emotional tonight; he's playing the best ever, so should be ready for things not to go his way, and this is going to be 3-0.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Mertens (55-8)
With 67 still available, Ronnie misses a red, and there are five of them left, none in pottable positions. Ronnie, though, misses again, and Ben, whose highest run so far is 19, has a chance to make something happen.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Mertens (30-0)
Ronnie strokes in a nice starter to left corner and gets to work. He picks off loose reds and, as Philip notes, John Higgins now leads Tian Pengfei and the winner of that meets the winner of this.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-4 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 4-2 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 1-4 Yuan SiJun
- Luca Brecel 1-1 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 0-0 Tian Pengfei
O'Sullivan 2-0 Mertens
Ronnie clears to pink and though he's not at his best or close to it, his bottom level is stratospheric, so you can't beat him without playing really well and Ben isn.t
O'Sullivan 1-0 Mertens (39-30)
Oh, Ben! He's playing too many poor shots to get anywhere against Ronnie, and he undercuts a red to left corner; he's not happy with his behaviour, at all, and this will probably be 2-0.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Mertens (33-15)
Ronnie goes in-off then a scrappy one unfolds before Ben leaves a red and Ronnie drains it ... only to miss a yellow to right-middle; can the youngster capitalise? Oh man it pains me to be old enough to call someone that.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Mertens (16-0)
Ben gets in and misses with the rest, then Philip points out that Mertens is good, on his first year on the tour learning his trade, while Ronnie won the UK when he was a year younger, and 30 years later is still the man to beat.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-4 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 2-2 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 1-4 Yuan SiJun
- Luca Brecel 0-0 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 0-0 Tian Pengfei
O'Sullivan 1-0 Mertens (70-25)
Ben overcuts a red to left corner and Ronnie quickly finishes things off.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Mertens (55-25)
"Striking the ball fairly crisply" says Angles of Ronnie, which makes me laugh. Aye, he is that! But he runs out of position on 55, plays safe, and Ben flukes a cross-double, raises a hand, and gets to work enjoying its fruits.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Mertens (8-12)
Ben being 18, obviously Ronnie is his hero, and I think I recall watching them play recently, Ben doing well. Yes, it was at last year's English Open, and TMNTPETPUAC took it 4-3. Anyhow, Ronnie fouls on the pink so Ben gets away, but then misses a red along the top cushion. This offers Ronnie one to right-middle and he sticks it in the bag dodgy tip and all - he said before the game that his cue will need some attention after this competition.
Away we go!
Coming up next
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ben Mertens!
Shaun speaks
He says he's gobsmacked, which is rare, and that he loved getting his two tons that got him to 600 total in the last round - he loves stuff like that, as he acknowledges. He found the 145 a buzz and has started asking before the match what the tournament high is, because he thinks it's weird when players ask the ref in the middle of the run - they should know that stuff. He found the maxi really pleasing, as he went for it from the first red, and felt like Neo from the Matrix, "seeing green lines all over the place", and makes all the practise worth it. Ah man, imagine what a feeling that is.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-3 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 1-2 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 1-3 Yuan SiJun
Shaun Murphy beats Daniel Wells 4-1!
Magical from the Magician, and he accepts the applause of the crowd in full recognition of the entertainment he's just given them. What a player.
Murphy 3-1 Wells (79-0)
This has been a spectacular, beautiful performance from Shaun.I love how much he loves being good at snooker, and he's just played a gorgeous black, going all the way arpund the table to come back for the yellow. He is feeling himself!
Murphy 3-1 Wells (52-0)
Shaun liberates a red but he's not on anything so it'll be a safety ... oh no it won't, he wants to watch the highlights and he takes on the acutest cut on the black, it goes to right corner, and he extends his lead before having to play safe when he finds himself in the pack, unable to get at the next red because there's no angle from which he can reach it without knocking something. So he plays safe, Daniel's retort is poor, and he's soon tasking on another tight black; he wobbles it into left corner, just, and this looks like curtains.
Murphy 3-1 Wells (14-0)
Daniel dangles one and Shaun punishes it home to right corner. I wonder if he's checked his phone, because he's a big Man United fan and they too had something going on tonight. Back on the table, the pack is tight and the red is busy, but there are few loose ones to go at.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-2 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 0-2 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 1-3 Yuan SiJun
Murphy 3-1 Wells
Well played Daniel Wells! He clears up with 89 and we know he retrieved a 2-0 deficit against Judd this afternoon, so you never know.
Murphy 3-0 Wells (39-66)
Daniel will need the difficult red that's near the side rail, and he might try to get at it off the pink ... he drops in behind, slides it towards left corner, and that's beautifully taken!
Murphy 3-0 Wells (39-29)
Shaun makes a mistake! He gets a kiss he doesn't want ... and misses a cut to right corner, leaving it for Daniel ... who drains it, but then leaves himself a tricky cut-back black to keep the run going. He sinks it well, and is in good shape to pull a frame back.
Murphy 3-0 Wells (23-12)
Inevitably it's Shaun in again and he must be naused this is only a best of seven. But he's leaving some form in the tank for the last eight - and he'll know he got absolutely ragged by Jack Lisowski not that long ago - though Jack currently trails Yuan SiJun.
Murphy 3-0 Wells (0-12)
There are few sportsfolk better to watch than Shaun Murphy when he's feeling himself, but it's Daniel in first in four - the crowd give him a nice round of applause, but it'll sting because it's a consolation prize. Anyhow, he soon runs out of position and we're back playing safety.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-2 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 0-1 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 1-2 Yuan SiJun
MURPHY MAKES A MAXI! AFTER A 145!
This is the reverse of when Michael van Gerwen hit a nine-darter, then got on a double for another nine in the next leg. You do not see stuff like this very often, so drink it in!
Murphy 3-0 Wells
145, then 147, and I've never seen anything like this before in my life! Shaun is the only man alive to have made a 147, hit a nine-darter and a hole in one, and he loves that! We all love that! That was perfect, snooker from the gods!
Murphy 2-0 Wells (129-0)
Blue, pink and black to go! Eazeh, eazeh, eazeh!
Murphy 2-0 Wells (120-0)
Shaun cuts home the final red, and black to yellow will be the key shot because the colours are on their spots ... and though he doesn't have the best angle, he spanks it home and he's not been in trouble at any point whatsoever! This is glorious!
Murphy 2-0 Wells (96-0)
A showman like Shaun will be desperate to take this, and Uncle Joe notes that Robert Milkins made 146 and 147 at the German Masters the other week; Shaun's not made one since November 2020. This is just beautiful, beautiful snooker, every ball hit true and disappearing without touching the sides, and this is so on it's ON!
Murphy 2-0 Wells (48-0)
A lovely little cannon of a red to right corner and Shaun has a decent chance. The remaining reds are either nicely in play or in a three clustered under the pink; it's on. Come on Shaun!
Murphy 2-0 Wells (17-0)
You kind of sense Daniel doesn't think he can win, and a safety error leaves Shaun down the business end with all sorts available - including, as called by Uncle Joe after one red-black, the maxi. You know the Magician will fancy it too.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-1 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 0-1 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 0-1 Yuan SiJun
Murphy 2-0 Wells
And there it is! A magical 145, the highest break of the competition so far, and Shaun, along with John Higgins, has been the best player in this tournament so far.
Murphy 1-0 Wells (103-0)
Shaun's hitting it beautifully, and there's a 145 waiting for him...
Murphy 1-0 Wells (71-0)
Shaun makes it safe, and will now hunt another ton and a potential high-break prize.
Murphy 1-0 Wells (47-0)
Again, Shaun takes his chance well, and there's not only a frame-winner out there, there's a sizeable break too.
Murphy 1-0 Wells (8-0)
Daniel inadvertently leaves on over right corner and Shaun rolls the full length of the table to pot it off the side. A black to middle follows, and a nice kiss leaves him in decent shape.
Murphy 1-0 Wells (0-0)
Daniel goes at one hard to left corner, misses by a way, and Shaun plays a telling safety, white on bottom rail; Daniel feathers his red of choice. Nicely played both.
Around the tables
- Robbie Williams 0-0 Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu 0-0 Jak Jones
- Jack Lisowski 0-1 Yuan SiJun
Murphy 1-0 Wells
Shaun's not won a ranking tournament for three years - it was this one - but he's playing well here. Let's see...
Murphy 0-0 Wells (55-48)
A poor positional shot means Shaun has to take on a nasty thin green to right-middle ... and it's there! This is going to be one to Shaun!
Murphy 0-0 Wells (24-48)
Daniel attempts one of those cushioned reds and gets really close, which is to say he leaves it for Shaun who gets to work. He'll need the other two toughies, but as I type that he splits them, and we may have a new favourite for the frame.
Murphy 0-0 Wells (2-48)
Good from Daniel, who's playing extremely carefully. But there are three reds on black cush and when he runs out of position he contemplates a thin cut on one of them before playing a decent safety back to baulk, brown and pink blocking the middle of the table, yellow and green the sides.
Murphy 0-0 Wells (2-11)
Daniel misses a red to the green, Shaun looks to get the white tight on the bottom rail ... and pots two balls, one in each corner. So it's in behind the green but not tight to, and Daniel gets away to left corner. He knows this is a chance, so he's taking his time, but there are loads of reds there for him.
Righto, here we go!
Let's be avin yer.
The second match on table two
Is Mark Allen v Luca Brecel. That too should be a belter.
And once that's done
It's Ben Mertens v Ronnie O'Sullivan. Ben's only 18, so this is a massive night for him, but I love what I've seen of him so far.
We begin tonight
With Daniel Wells v Shaun Murphy. As we saw this afternoon, Daniel gave Judd Trump a doing, and you've got to be in nick to make that happen. But The Magician is in terrific form himself, so we should be in for a lot of fun.
Well hello there!
And welcome to an evening of snooker, lovely snooker!
Thanks for joining us
We will be back for the last-16 matches at 6.45pm GMT with Shaun Murphy, who hit breaks of 100 and 102 in his 4-2 win over Anthony McGill earlier, meeting Daniel Wells before world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on Ben Mertens for a quarter-final spot.
Welsh Open last 16
- Robbie Williams v Joe O'Connor
- Pang Junxu v Jak Jones
- Daniel Wells v Shaun Murphy
- Jack Lisowski v Yuan SiJun
- Robert Milkins v Hossein Vafaei
- Ben Mertens v Ronnie O'Sullivan
- Mark Allen v Cao Yupeng or Luca Brecel
- John Higgins or Sanderson Lam v Tian Pengfei or Ali Carter
Around the tables
13:00
- Judd Trump 2-4 Daniel Wells
- Shaun Murphy 4-2 Anthony McGill
- David Lilley 2-4 Jack Lisowski
- Barry Hawkins 3-4 Hossein Vafaei
14:00
- Cao Yupeng 1-3 Luca Brecel
- Andy Hicks 1-4 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 1-2 Sanderson Lam
- Tian Pengfei 1-1 Ali Carter
Allen 4-1 Hicks (72-20)
Barring snookers, this match is a done deal for Allen, who has been in excellent form today. In goes the red to top right hand corner and Andy offers his handshake. Impressive performance from the Antrim man.
Allen 3-1 Hicks (56-20)
Another red eludes Hicks and Allen slots another plant which could spell the end of this contest. All set up to get this won.
Allen 3-1 Hicks (40-15)
Well, just when it looked like taxi time for Hicks, Allen misses a straightish pot on a red. First time he has missed today in live play. Vital that Andy doesn't do likewise trailing by two with three to play.
Allen 3-1 Hicks (32-6)
Allen with a delightful plant on reds after Hicks misses a tough cut on a red. Had to make that plant, but worked it out supremely well. Chance then to put this match to bed with balls looking well placed for winning run to the line.
Allen 3-1 Hicks (0-0)
Allen with four 50-plus breaks today. One of them in 60s and another in 70s. Chasing one more frame for victory and a last-16 match this evening against Cao or Brecel, who leads 2-1.
Allen 2-1 Hicks (73-4)
A quickfire 73 break from Allen and he races into a 3-1 advantage. Hicks has done little or nothing wrong today, but needs to win the remaining three frames otherwise it is game over.
Allen 2-1 Hicks (35-4)
Mark having to do his work via the blue and reds with pink and black out of commission at the moment. Certainly has control of that white ball so far today. Thumps home a lovely red to spring red free from next to black. That is a delightful shot. Every chance now of wrapping up this fourth frame.
Allen 2-1 Hicks (14-4)
Another blistering long red from Hicks early in the fourth frame. Tries to inject a bit of pace in potting black, but object ball stays out. Allen presented with a visit to the table he never envisaged. High calibre snooker so far.
Allen 2-0 Hicks (0-94)
Black just eludes Andy as he closed in on the ton, but a sparkling break of 90 sees him close down the frame in rapid time. No messing about. Such an easy player to watch when he is in the mood. Belies his world No. 67 ranking.
Allen 2-0 Hicks (0-67)
This has been glorious from Hicks. Couple of tricky shots from near side rail, but he has downed them with minimum fuss. The cue action is looking very busy, but also solid in despatching the balls. Could be a century coming up.
Allen 2-0 Hicks (0-26)
Hicks with a solid pot on a red from mid-range. First real chance of the day for him after Allen escaped from a snooker. Vital that he gathers some momentum here.
Allen 2-0 Hicks (0-4)
Allen is 3-1 clear on the head-to-heads, but Hicks won their first meeting 10-7 in qualifying for the 2006 World Championship.
Allen 1-0 Hicks (73-4)
All Allen out there as he drops a brilliant long red into a top pocket. Adds the required points to reach snookers needed and Hicks has seen enough. Breaks of 66, 57 and 58 so far today from UK champion.
Allen 1-0 Hicks (58-4)
Loses position on 58 with a possible 83 remaining. Allen deciding to take his medicine and run safe by pushing red to a side cush and sticking white on baulk cush. Tough matchplay snooker from Mark, but Andy clips one in from distance. That is a supreme pot when he has been sitting in his chair for much of this contest.
Allen 1-0 Hicks (35-0)
Allen first to the punch again here after Hick butchers a safety attempt trying to run safe off the outside of a red. In goes the thin cutback on a red and off goes the Northern Irishman. What damage is he going to do here?
Allen 1-0 Hicks (0-0)
Off we go for the second frame. Winner of this match will meet Cao Yupeng or Luca Brecel this evening in the last 16. Brecel leads 1-0 in that match.
Allen 0-0 Hicks (131-8)
Allen adds 57 to the earlier 66 and that is a very efficient way to start your day. Looking at one with the table. Will settle for three more of those this avo.
Around the tables
13:00
- Judd Trump 2-4 Daniel Wells
- Shaun Murphy 4-2 Anthony McGill
- David Lilley 2-4 Jack Lisowski
- Barry Hawkins 3-4 Hossein Vafaei
14:00
- Cao Yupeng 0-1 Luca Brecel
- Andy Hicks 0-1 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 1-0 Sanderson Lam
- Tian Pengfei 0-0 Ali Carter
Allen 0-0 Hicks (70-0)
What a start to the day from the world No. 3. A break of 66 to leave Andy chasing a snooker otherwise this is moving 1-0 in favour of the Antrim man.
Allen 0-0 Hicks (46-0)
Allen making the early running at the business end of the table. Looking very comfortable out there. Began this match with a solid opening red and is now close to the reds. Always looks like he is going to score from close range.
Allen 0-0 Hicks (4-0)
Off we trot then in the second main match of this Thursday afternoon in Llandudno. Allen is the player of the season with victories at the Northern Ireland Open, UK Championship and World Grand Prix. Can he avoid a shock against the 1995 world semi-finalist?
Trump: I didn't play well
"Quite happy to go home because I didn't play well," said Trump. "I felt Dan was the better player. He's had a tough time over the past couple of years, he deserved to win in the end, he's playing better than me so hopefully he can go on and have a good run."
Around the tables
13:00
- Judd Trump 2-4 Daniel Wells
- Shaun Murphy 4-2 Anthony McGill
- David Lilley 2-4 Jack Lisowski
- Barry Hawkins 3-3 Hossein Vafaei
14:00
- Cao Yupeng 0-0 Luca Brecel
- Andy Hicks 0-0 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 0-0 Sanderson Lam
- Tian Pengfei v Ali Carter
Trump 2-3 (15-71) Wells
A 47 break from Daniel. Judd needing two snookers otherwise his race is run here this week. A real shock outcome. Four straight frames this is going to be as Wells nudges a pink towards side cushion. Trump fails to slot a long red and this match is over. Daniel pumps his fist. Alls Wells that ends well. A famous victory. He meets Murphy tonight.
Trump 2-3 (15-55) Wells
Well, talk about settling the nerves. Wells with a real confidence booster as he wallops home a stunning long red. Just clubbing the balls down the holes. Brilliant from the Welshman, who is flying the flag here today. Can he progress to complete the victory and secure a last-16 meeting with Shaun Murphy this evening? Every chance now.
Trump 2-3 (15-24) Wells
Mid-range red for Dan proves too much, but he gets the rub of the old green baize as red runs safe. All every tense with winning line in sight. Trump not looking best pleased with his day.
Trump 2-3 (15-8) Wells
Error by Judd. Not sure if that was an attempted pot or a safety shot, but opportunity knocks here for Dan. Would dearly love a good 50 or 60 at least. Which he should be thinking about with reds well split.
Trump 2-3 (15-0) Wells
Wells with a safety attempt. Catches red far too thick, but he gets away with it. Huge frame for both men, but particularly Wells playing under his amateur status.
Trump 2-2 (0-101) Wells
101 to the final red from Wells and that will do the job against anyone in snooker. From making a high break of 34 in the first two frames, Wells has added a 101 to a break of 67. On cusp of last 16.
Trump 2-2 (0-72) Wells
Could be a century on the cards for Dan the man. Amazing how one missed ball can change the entire narrative of a snooker match. Looks like Judd is going to spend two frames without potting a ball. Dramatic scenes in sleepy Llandudno.
Trump 2-2 (0-57) Wells
From struggling to go beyond the 30s, Wells is loving every moment of the main showpiece table in his scoring boots. This looks like a third straight frame to the amateur unless he collapses. Balls at his mercy as he plays a neat little cannon to hold for the black and this should be 3-2.
Trump 2-2 (0-9) Wells
Judd just failing to can a cut on a red to right centre. What is it they say about the snooker gods and forgiveness? That black ball eluded him in the third frame and Wells has not looked back before his home support. In goes another long red to get him on the move in the fifth frame of a possible seven.
Trump 2-1 (0-80) Wells
A delightful little cameo of 67 from Wells, his highest knock of the match so far. This match has turned on one missed black by Trump, who was coasting towards a 3-0 lead, but has been pegged back to 2-2. A best of three frame match to reach the last 16 this evening. Trump must regroup quickly here because Wells is suddenly scoring.
Trump 2-1 (0-32) Wells
Superb from Wells to pot blue and crack open those reds at the top end of table. That looks just the job and suddenly this is a chance to restore parity at 2-2.
Trump 2-1 (0-25) Wells
Wells matching up well to Trump in the safety department this afternoon. If he can 20 or 30 points to these frequent visits to the old green baize, we might have a real upset on the cards. Another telling safety forces the error from his opponent and the underdog is back within potting range. Pink and black tied up among reds so difficult to produce a frame-winning thrust.
Trump 2-0 (50-77) Wells
A stunning pot on one of final two remaining reds along top cushion from Judd. Looks for all the world like he is going to take out the frame after 30 minutes of punch and counter punch, but Trump then misses routine black off spot attempting to run up table for yellow. Well, that is unbelievable. Wells quickly out of his seats to despatch the necessary balls to win first frame of the day. Will that be a turning point? 3-0 beckoned, but 2-1 is the reality.
Trump 2-0 (41-63) Wells
Wells just seeking red and colour, but can't thump home a red at pace as he attempted to get back out for a colour. On the cusp of the third frame, but suddenly the power is out of his hands. Easy opener for Judd as he closes to 31 points behind by slotting black. A bit too hard on the red to left centre, but springs pink from cushion as the final reds become key to the frame. And he comes up with a timely snooker to apply further pressure.
O'Sullivan set to battle through tip trauma
We'll have the Rocket and his wayward cue tip against Ben Mertens tonight from 7pm. Who knows what will happen.
Trump 2-0 (0-58) Wells
Dan having to do this in bits and pieces at the moment. Adds another 24 points, but is unearthing some fine tactical moves away from potting balls. Eights reds left on table so Wells would dearly love to get a colour to a side cush ASAP for an insurance policy.
Trump 2-0 (0-34) Wells
Kind of hitting a bit of routine this match with Wells again faltering on 34 before being forced to run safe. "30-odd breaks just not enough," says 1986 world champion Joe Johnson. Not even in the 80s at the top level. Certainly not now.
Trump 2-0 (0-26) Wells
Dan can't say he is short of opportunities today. Trump attempts to nudge a red down the length of the table to the green bag, but never really threatened the pocket and the upshot presents his opponent with another chance to get ahead in the third frame.
Around the tables
13:00
- Judd Trump 2-0 Daniel Wells
- Shaun Murphy 1-1 Anthony McGill
- David Lilley 1-1 Jack Lisowski
- Barry Hawkins 0-1 Hossein Vafaei
Trump 1-0 (76-43) Wells
Blue flies off the table trying a Judd special, but no damage done to anybody apart from the scoreline. Trump halfway to the last 16 out there.
Trump 1-0 (67-38) Wells
Superb piece of break-building this from Trump. Has worked it out very nicely with key shot seeing him land on a red in baulk from potting black. Has made this break look extremely easy and is surely going to lead 2-0.
Trump 1-0 (9-38) Wells
A break of 34 from Wells, but he misses a tricky cut on black to right middle and suddenly Trump is presented with chance to atone for his earlier mishap. 34 is okay down the club, but is nothing at this level. Looks a half-decent table to attack.
Trump 1-0 (0-8) Wells
Nothing doing on the long pot attempt with deep screw and Dan is presented with the opportunity he craved early in this second frame. Vital he puts together some meaningful combos here to build confidence. Remember, first to four frames is akin to a snooker sprint.
Trump 1-0 (0-4) Wells
Some nice safety stuff being shelled out by both men at outset of this second frame. Wells manages to find a tight gap to get white back to baulk. Supreme effort and Trump responds with a horrible miscue seconds later. He'll have another go from the same spot on table.
Trump 0-0 Wells (50-36)
A nice bit of drama to get the show on the road today. Daniel doing brilliantly to clear to the blue, but it was a tough ask and he rattles the jaws attempting to get back down table for pink. Trump doesn't falter as he cuts home mid-range blue, lands perfectly on pink and takes out the frame by 12 points. Could have gone either way. But it belongs to the Trumpster. He moves 1-0 clear. Will Wells regret that missed opportunity? Those frames can be key to the overall outcome.
Trump 0-0 Wells (38-22)
Down to the final red with Wells reducing his arrears to 16 points. Trump forced to escape from a snooker on the final red. Looked like it was going to form early on, but the pink and black being out of commission has helped the case of the amateur Welsh hope here. An error by Trump leaves red over yellow bag and suddenly a chance for Wells to win this first frame.
Trump 0-0 Wells (38-0)
Dangerous moments for Wells as Trump picks out a fantastic thin cut on a red from distance to the top right hand pocket. That is a corker. And he lands nicely on the baulk colours. Pink and black welded to top cush so difficult to get job done here and now. But a 38-point lead is like money in the bank.
Trump 0-0 Wells (22-0)
Winner of this match will meet Shaun Murphy or Anthony McGill in last 16 this evening. No one-visit hit for Trump in the opening frame. Which will be a relief to his opponent.
Trump 0-0 Wells (14-0)
So off we go with the first match today. Trump 4-0 clear on the career head-to-heads. Slides in a lovely long red and lands bang on the pink. What a result that is for the Juddernaut straight off the bat. Start as you mean to go on.
Welcome back to Wales
Should be a riveting few hours ahead on moving day today. 2019 world champion Judd Trump against Daniel Wells is first up before man of season Mark Allen meets Andy Hicks. First to four will reach the last 16 tonight. We'll keep you clued up on all the action today. Time to get the boyz on the baize. By tonight, we'll know our quarter-finalists in the 11th ranking event of the campaign.
Thursday's bumper schedule
13:00
- Judd Trump v Daniel Wells
- Shaun Murphy v Anthony McGill
- David Lilley v Jack Lisowski
- Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei
14:00
- Cao Yupeng v Luca Brecel
- Andy Hicks v Mark Allen
- John Higgins v Sanderson Lam
- Tian Pengfei v Ali Carter
Last 16
19:00
- Robbie Williams v Joe O’Connor
- Pang Junxu v Jak Jones
- Trump/Wells v Murphy/McGill
- Lilley/Lisowski v Yuan Sijun
20:00
- Robert Milkins v Hawkins/Vafaei
- Cao/Brecel v Hicks/Allen
- Higgins/Lam v Tian/Carter
- Ben Mertens v Ronnie O’Sullivan
O’Sullivan reveals he was ready to concede match after yet more tip trouble
Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed he was ready to concede his third round match to Rod Lawler after more tip troubles.
O’Sullivan was on a break to go 3-0 up on Wednesday night before his tip flew off for a third time this week, having come off twice against Ross Muir, which left him frustrated before he went on to whitewash his opponent.
He told Lawler his “cue was broken” before getting a new tip fitted by tournament director Paul Collier.
“I said to him [Lawler] you can have the match at 2-0,” O’Sullivan said in the Eurosport studio.
“I said to Paul Collier there’s no point in me having to keep on coming here, keep putting tips on, I’m happy to give the match to Rod.
“I don’t think Rod wanted to play either! I felt for Rod, he’s a good lad.”
Read the full story here.
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