Snooker results: Judd Trump beats Hossein Vafaei 10-4 at the Crucible

By Sporting Life

Snooker

Thu April 21, 2022 · 3y ago

2019 champion Judd Trump made short work of Crucible debutant Hossein Vafaei, winning his first-round match 10-4 to ease into the last 16.

Trump began the second session nursing a commanding 6-3 lead having finished strongly on Wednesday evening, and he duly finished the job with the minimum of fuss.

It wasn't vintage Trump who was unable to add to his century in the opening session, but he won four of the five frames played on Thursday with the aid of some trademark long potting.

To his credit, Vafaei put together a terrific break of 121 in frame 12, but Iran's first player to ever qualify for the Crucible will have to wait another year at least to claim his first victory at the historic venue.

A Judd Trump special for your viewing pleasure ⚡️@WeAreWST | #ilovesnooker | @judd147t pic.twitter.com/rDdthjE68g
— Eurosport (@eurosport) April 21, 2022

Trump told Eurosport afterwards: "I always struggle in the first round here, the first and second round. I never play well, I always feel like that.

"Then normally something clicks along the line. The tournament is so long, every game is like a tournament in itself and it gives me the chance to not play well one day and next match play my absolute best.

"With my cue action, it’s hard for me to play well every single time. Neil [Robertson] and other players can do that. Ronnie [O'Sullivan], John Higgins.

"For me, the alignment, the way I move, it’s so hard for me to be playing well all the time. It’s something that I’ve accepted.

"To win six events and then five in a year, with my cue action, is beyond belief because it’s probably one of the worst on tour.

"But I can replicate it most times, but when things aren’t going well there’s more chance of me missing a ball than maybe Ronnie or Neil."

Saengkham welcomes new arrival with big win

Noppon Saengkham progressed to the second round with a 10-5 defeat of Luca Brecel.

It was a case of double celebration for Saengkham who became a father for the first time on Wednesday, but has yet to meet his new daughter who no doubt spurred him on to an impressive victory.

Saengkham told World Snooker Tour: "I’m very happy, my daughter was born yesterday at 7am UK time. I haven’t seen her yet as she is still in the hospital.

"I speak with my wife every day, I’ll see my daughter on a video call tomorrow, so everything will be ok."

Brecel started as warm favourite having won the Scottish Open and reached the final of the UK Championship already this season.

However, Saengkham led 6-3 overnight following a strong start and barely had a moments worry in the concluding session, winning three frames on the spin upon the resumption to move within a frame of victory.

Noppon Saengkham seals victory with a kiss

Brecel finally found some form by winning the next two frames, but he had left himself with too much work to do and Saengkham finished the job to set up a last-16 meeting with eight-time Crucible finalist John Higgins.

Saengkham added: "I’ve been to the Crucible three times now. The first time I came here I performed badly because I was very nervous. I could not control my mind and lost 10-4 to Neil Robertson.

"The second time here I won my first ever match in the Crucible, but without out a crowd – so there was less pressure, and I could concentrate more.

"I had to learn how to play in a rowdy Crucible – learn how to keep control of myself and learn how to enjoy the experience. I felt less pressured when I was out there because of that."

Williams makes strong start

Mark Williams fired three centuries and five further breaks of 50-plus as he established a 7-1 overnight advantage over Jackson Page in their second-round match.

Page, who is good friends with Williams and trains at his club in Tredegar, was blown away by the three-time world champion who produced one of the dominant sessions of his career.

Only a rare miss by Williams in the final frame of the day gave Page the chance to avoid a first session whitewash, clearing with an impressive break of 43, but he has it all to do to avoid defeat with a session to spare when they resume on Friday morning.

Elsewhere, Stephen Maguire leads Zhao Xintong 5-3 after the opening session of their second-round match.