UK Championship Snooker 2024 LIVE UPDATES: Kyren Wilson in Action, Judd Trump’s Masterclass Over Zhang Anda
Murphy praises ‘fantastic’ Hawkins
Shaun Murphy struggled to pinpoint any mistakes he made as he graciously acknowledged the victory of Barry Hawkins.
The world No. 9 was eliminated from the UK Championship with a 6-2 loss to Hawkins, who previously knocked out Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-4 in the first round.
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Murphy commented: “I felt I played exceptionally well.”
“I can’t recall committing six major mistakes during the match; I may have made a few, but definitely not six.”
He continued: “Barry played phenomenally.”
“Earlier this week, I mentioned that usually, the player who beats Ronnie tends to perform well in these major tournaments because one has to be at their best to defeat O’Sullivan.”
“Regrettably for me, I was spot on.”
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O’Sullivan compares Wilson to Scheffler
Ronnie O’Sullivan feels that Kyren Wilson possesses the “mentality” required to achieve continuous success, likening him to the world No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler.
Wilson is set to compete against Michael Holt in the UK Snooker Championships quarter-finals later tonight.
O’Sullivan, a seven-time champion at the Crucible, is impressed by how Wilson is managing the pressure of having won his first world title this year.
The Rocket shared with Eurosport: “It really depends on the individual; for some, the pressure can be overwhelming and derail their careers.
“However, those with talent and pedigree often elevate their game, experiencing considerable success.”
“Kyren certainly fits that mold and is poised to win many more important tournaments.”
O’Sullivan further expressed: “He reminds me of Scottie Scheffler, the golfer.
“Many players can hit the ball far and do various things well. Wilson excels in all aspects of the game, and when he is in form, he is a formidable rival.”
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Trump has no preference for semi-final opponents
Judd Trump expressed that he has no specific preference regarding his potential opponent in the semi-finals, as he is just pleased to reach that stage.
Having defeated Zhang Anda 6-2, Trump will face either World No. 2 Kyren Wilson or upset specialist Michael Holt.
Trump stated: “I’m simply thrilled to be in the semi-finals.”
“Considering my position in those first two matches at being 3-0 down to Neil Robertson, reaching this point and scoring freely in the quarter-finals feels satisfying.”
“I don’t really care who it is. Of course, Kyren is likely to be the favorite, but Michael has demonstrated excellent snooker throughout this tournament. Whomever it is will present a fantastic match.”
Trump nearly breaks O’Sullivan’s incredible record
Judd Trump’s explosive start against Zhang Anda put him just 29 points shy of an extraordinary record held by Ronnie O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan achieved a remarkable 556 points without reply during the 2014 Masters in London.
Trump threatened that historic mark in York today, taking the first four frames before the break for a commanding 5-0 lead and eventually winning 6-2.
With breaks of 126, 120, and 131, the world No. 1 amassed 466 unanswered points in just 45 minutes, extending this to 527 before missing a red that Zhang subsequently pocketed, eliciting cheers from the audience.
Trump thrilled with his significant improvement
Thrilled by his performance, Judd Trump stated that he “really asserted my dominance” over Zhang Anda.
He indicated that he feels he is returning to the form that earned him the World No. 1 ranking.
The Englishman was critical of himself earlier in the tournament but offered a significantly different reflection after his 6-2 victory in the quarter-finals.
He told Eurosport: “This was a significantly improved performance. I started very well.
“Getting into the first frame was pivotal compared to my previous two matches.
“I was able to settle in quickly and really impose myself without many mistakes.”
“I was delighted to be able to focus and regain my form.”
Hendry predicts O’Sullivan will capture another major title… soon
Stephen Hendry is confident that fellow seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will rise above his critics – including Hendry himself – to claim major titles again.
The Rocket, age 48, lost in the first round of this week’s UK Championship to Barry Hawkins, who has since advanced to the semi-finals.
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However, Hendry mentioned on The Snooker Club podcast: “At this moment, making predictions is simple, but I truly believe he will either win in Saudi Arabia or the Masters. He might even capture both, which is a bold claim.”
“He is heavily involved there with his academy and will be eager to perform – and the Masters is a venue where he excels, having claimed eight titles and enjoying massive crowd support.”
“I’m confident he will win at least one of those events, and potentially both.”