WST Pro Series snooker 2021: 'No panic' – World number one Judd Trump relishing world title bid
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ByEurosport
Updated 17/03/2021 at 06:23 GMT
Judd Trump already has one eye on claiming a second world title in three years after reaching the last 32 of the WST Pro Series event in Milton Keynes. The world number one enjoyed six wins from seven matches to top Group O on 18 points on Tuesday. He was joined in the last 32 by Ryan Day, who finished on 15 points alongside Jamie Jones, but edged out his fellow Welshman on frame difference.
Judd Trump at the Gibraltar Open (World Snooker)
Image credit: Eurosport
Judd Trump admits he would love to equal last season's record haul of six ranking event victories by lifting a second world title in May.
The undisputed world number one changed his tip before the WST Pro Series event, but was hardly troubled as he enjoyed six wins out of seven matches to top Group O in qualifying for the last 32 in Milton Keynes.
Trump enjoyed wins over Sean Maddocks, Steven Hallworth, Jimmy White, Barry Pinches, Jamie Jones and Ryan Day with a closing 2-0 defeat to Hossein Vafaei ultimately immaterial as he finished on 18 points.
The 2019 world champion was joined in the last 32 by Shoot Out winner Ryan Day, who contributed two centuries as he reached 15 points alongside fellow Welshman Jamie Jones, but qualified on frame difference.
“I got it all done and dusted early on. I didn’t have to panic in the last couple of games as I always knew I was in control," said Trump, whose 116 against Hallworth was his only century of the day.
It was about getting some good match practice. I’ve had the same tip on all season and I decided to take it off and come here and play ahead of a couple of big events coming up.
Trump has three more opportunities of ranking titles with the WST Pro Series, the Tour Championship and World Championship giving him the chance to add to his success in lifting the English Open, Northern Ireland Open, World Grand Prix, German Masters and Gibraltar Open.
“For me I’ve already done better than I did last season. Even though I’ve won less tournaments, I’ve played in a few less events," said Trump.
"The overall standard and consistency has been better as well and I’m still in with a chance of breaking that record.
It would be nice to equal it at the Tour Championship or the World Championship. I’m in a great position for both of them.
Trump and Day join Stuart Bingham, Oliver Lines, Mark Selby, Zhou Yuelong, Dominic Dale and Ricky Walden in group 4 of the second phase on Saturday.
The second phase begins on Wednesday with Mark Williams, Ali Carter, Martin O'Donnell, Louis Heathcote, James Cahill, Sunny Akani, Ben Hancorn and Lyu Haotian contesting Group 1 with the top two reaching the final group on Sunday.
WST Pro Series last-32 qualifiers
- Jack Lisowski
- Luca Brecel
- Luo Honghao
- Zhou Yeulong
- Shaun Murphy
- Louis Heathcote
- Zhao Xintong
- Dominic Dale
- Stuart Bingham
- Sam Craigie
- Martin O'Donnell
- Lu Ning
- Kyren Wilson
- Sunny Akani
- Joe Perry
- Xiao Guodong
- Oliver Lines
- James Cahill
- Ali Carter
- Mark Davis
- Ben Woollaston
- Fergal O'Brien
- Barry Hawkins
- Ricky Walden
- Mark Williams
- Robert Milkins
- Mark Selby
- Stuart Carrington
- Ben Hancorn
- Lyu Haotian
- Judd Trump
- Ryan Day
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