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Defending champion Judd Trump stunned in Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters opener

Defending champion Judd Trump stunned in Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters opener

Metro5 days ago
Judd Trump has fallen at the first hurdle of his Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters defence, beaten 5-3 by Oliver Lines on Tuesday in Jeddah.
The world number one won the first edition of the tournament last season in Riyadh, memorably beating Mark Williams 10-9 on the final black in an epic final.
The 35-year-old could not replicate that success this time round, though, beaten by the world number 68 in his opening match.
Lines had won three matches to come through the tiered draw to this stage, beating Liam Pullen, Matthew Selt and Noppon Saengkham impressively.
The form and confidence he built up over that trio of wins clearly helped him against the reigning champion, someone he is good friends with and had practiced with over his career.
Trump came into the match as heavy favourite, despite Lines' hat-trick of victories in Saudi Arabia, and started well enough as he won the first frame.
The Yorkshireman showed that he is in good touch in the next, though, knocking in a 125 and then claimed the next two to go into the interval 3-1 ahead.
That could have been an unhelpful pause in the game for Lines, but not so as he returned to make a 71 and go one frame from victory.
The 30-year-old was playing well but the former world champion was not, struggling to keep hold of the cue ball and missing multiple blacks off the spot.
Lines started to feel the pressure of the winning line somewhat, missing chances to win the match in the sixth and Trump clawed back to 4-2 behind.
Things started to look a bit ominous as the Ace made a 102 to win the next and looked very good doing it, but Lines managed to compose himself again, knock in a fantastic break of 100 and win the match 5-3.
'I was starting to get a bit edgy towards the end. I felt great the whole game and you get 4-1 up and start searching for the winning line. At 4-1 up I could barely feel my legs!' Lines told TNT Sports.
The guaranteed £30,000 for the last 16 is Lines' biggest financial win of his career, crediting his good form to work on the practice table with former pro Andy Lee.
'I've been putting a lot of hard work in, I've just started working with Andy Lee and I'm really enjoying it,' he said. 'He's really calm and I think it's rubbing off on my game.'
Lines plays either Ali Carter or Gary Wilson in the last 16.
Earlier in the first session of the day in Jeddah Shaun Murphy made light work of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh with a 5-1 victory. More Trending
The Thai star had been in brilliant form in beating Jordan Brown and Jak Jones in the earlier rounds, making a 147 against Brown.
However, the Magician was in fine fettle as he made breaks of 125, 66 and 118 along the way, with Thepchaiya making a 96 in the one frame he won.
Murphy goes through to the last 16 where he will take on Mark Williams after the Welsh legend beat Yuan Sijun 5-3.
More to follow…
MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan opponent ready to channel hero Mark Selby in Saudi Arabia
MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan says three players are 'level above' at Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
MORE: Top 16 learn Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters opponents and hopefully bring crowds
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