UK Championship 2024: Judd Trump fights back to emerge victorious from first-round skirmish with Neil Robertson

In the long-awaited, blockbuster UK Championship first-round clash between Neil Robertson and Judd Trump, the latter eventually prevailed. The world No. 1 rattled off five frames in a row to come back from 3-1 down to defeat the three-time UK champion 6-3. Neither player could find form in the opening three frames before a delightful century clearance from Robertson sparked the match into life.

Judd Trump rattled off five frames in a row to come back from 3-1 down and defeat Neil Robertson in a prolonged tactical battle at the UK Championship.

The Englishman accepted the winning handshake five hours after the contest had begun, and the final frame encapsulated a scrappy, stop-start affair.

A mid-match century clearance from Robertson put the Australian into a commanding two-frame lead, but it proved the spark for Trump to surge back, with his 126 clearance the undoubted highlight of the encounter.

Victorian Plumbing UK Championship

'I'm in the hardest era' - Trump brushes off O’Sullivan comparisons after UK Championship win

02/12/2024 at 21:26

Errors were the order of the afternoon, as Trump's nightmare break-off showed, but there were moments of brilliance too - Trump ridiculously cutting a red past middle into left of baulk a particularly memorable shot.

Robertson moved 50-19 ahead in the first frame but then found himself stuck between brown and green and left Trump with no clear shot.

The Australian returned to nail a long red, before sinking a challenging blue for match ball. A smart double kept the break alive, before he provided sanctuary to the cue ball behind the green and forced a concession from Trump.

‘Completely butchered it’ – Watch Trump’s ‘diabolical’ break-off shot at UK Championship

Video credit: TNT Sports

A bizarre, protracted second saw Robertson move 22-0 up before the current world No. 1 failed to make the most of a favourable red spread, missing a straightforward green at 35-22 to the good.

The contest was brought to a pause - as was all action in the arena - with players and spectators leaving the arena to allow a member of the audience to receive medical treatment.

• Judd Trump hits ‘diabolical’ break-off in nightmare start to 2024 UK Championship against Neil Robertson
• Jak Jones wins final-frame decider to heap more misery on Luca Brecel with pro status at risk

The two then contested the final red with Robertson 45-36 clear, but the frame was far from over.

Several errors and fouls from both players threatened to push it past the hour mark, but Robertson's fluke on the green eventually helped him to the win.

Trump hit back in the third, albeit in drips and drabs, with the Englishman struggling to exceed his highest break of the match - 35 - let alone a half-century.

'Best shot of the session' - Robertson nails 'perfectly executed' two-cushion cannon

Video credit: TNT Sports

Robertson injected some much-needed quality in the contest to go 3-1 up, however. The three-time champion sunk an effortless 107 break clearance to offer hope of a free-flowing contest continuing after the interval.

Controversy marred their return, as both players and referee failed to notice Trump making contact with a long red.

The erroneously-awarded five points would not make a material difference in the end, as a sensational safety from the Englishman with just the pink and black remaining broke Robertson's resolve.

'Clear contact' - Controversy as referee wrongly calls Trump miss

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump eventually found form to level the clash, rattling home a break of 73 in 12 minutes to achieve parity for the first time since the opening frame.

Another single visit was enough for the 2011 champion to take the lead and his devastating 126 clearance was by far the highlight of the match to that point.

An ambitiously cut red, with the frame already decided, was particularly encouraging, and a sign of Trump's growing confidence in the match.

'What a shot!' - Trump cuts ridiculous red and brings up first century against Robertson

Video credit: TNT Sports

And fortune smiled on the 35-year-old as he went one away from victory, with a remarkably-placed brown giving a red a crucial nudge into the middle.

An eventual break of 67 handed him his fourth frame on the spin after Robertson declined a chase with snookers required.

The match concluded as it had begun, in spurts and starts, but this time it was Trump who claimed the scrappy frame.

It looked to be all over and a procession was beginning to unfold, but a red wandering into the pocket after Trump had potted the black kept the contest barely breathing.

Wizard of Wishaw whitewashes He

In contrast to the drawn-out skirmish on table one, John Higgins comfortably cruised through to the last 16 with a 6-0 win over He Guoqiang.

The five-time finalist started the encounter with an emphatic 110 break before going on to make three half-centuries in the distinctly one-sided affair.

It has been 14 years since his last triumph in this tournament, but given the form he showed on Tuesday afternoon, it is no surprise the 49-year-old believes he could be "a match for anyone" left in the competition.

"[I'm] very pleased," said Higgins. "First two frames I knew it would be a tough game for him, and it was a great atmosphere. I was nervous as well.

"I got off to a decent start and I just put the pressure on him. He had a few chances, but it's difficult out there when things start to go wrong.

"It's a special venue, but I've never really done great here and a great venue to play in. When I play like that I feel like I'm a match for anyone."

Higgins will face Trump in Round Two on Thursday.

---

Watch and stream top snooker action, including the UK Championship, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+

Victorian Plumbing UK Championship

'Just a relief at the end' - Trump says fine margins were difference against Hawkins

01/12/2024 at 23:41

Victorian Plumbing UK Championship

'An incredible snooker player' - White hails Trump after second UK Championship title

01/12/2024 at 23:13