Two of snooker’s biggest met in the first round of the UK Championship as Judd Trump overcame Neil Robertson 6-3 in their mouthwatering clash in York.
The pair have won 53 ranking titles between them during their trophy-laden careers to date and Trump is currently world No 1 after winning a remarkable seven tournaments in the past 15 months.
The one minor blip on the 35-year-old Englishman’s incredible CV is the fact he ‘only’ has four victories at snooker’s triple crown events (the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters) and he is trying to win this tournament at the Barbican Centre for just the second time, after his 2011 success.
He trailed three-time UK champion Robertson 3-1 but then upped his levels and won five frames on the spin to triumph 6-3 and set up a last-16 clash with John Higgins, who overcame He Guoqiang 6-0 on the oher table.
Relive all the action below with our live blog:
UK Snooker Championship - Judd Trump v Neil Robertson live updates
- Judd Trump beats Neil Robertson 6-3 in a blockbuster first-round clash at UK Championship in York
- Trump is world No 1 and has already won two tournaments this season but his only UK Championship title came in 2011
- Robertson has dropped out of the world’s top 16 but qualified for York and is trying to win this event for a fourth time
- Trump will face John Higgins in the last 16 as the Scotsman whitewashes He Guoqiang 6-0
- Result: Judd Trump 6-3 Neil Robertson
FRAME AND MATCH! Judd Trump 6-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 18:02 , Luke BakerIt’s over! A bit of a safety exchange but eventually Trump triumphs and the pair shake hands.
Judd Trump has won five straight frames from 3-1 down to beat Neil Robertson 6-3 and reach the last. John Higgins awaits world No 1 Trump who is now on his way to a potential second UK Championship title after his 2011 success.
Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:57 , Luke BakerA bit of late drama as Trump accidentally pots a red as well as a black. He still leads by 56 with only 51 points remaining but Robertson will return to the table to try and get the two snookers he needs.
A last late twist?
Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:55 , Luke BakerTrump moves 62 points ahead with only 59 remaining - Neil Robertson needs snookers now. Another red goes down and that’s pretty much that. Judd Trump is heading into the last 16.
Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:54 , Luke BakerRoars from the crowd as Trump finds a cross-double to pot a red to left middle. He’s already 40 points ahead, can he finish it here? Only needs a couple more reds with colours.
Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:50 , Luke BakerTrump breaks down unexpectedly with the lead at 41-1. Missed opportunity for the world No 1. But Robertson can’t capitalise as he misses a long red by quite a distance.
Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:48 , Luke BakerFair play, great pot by Robertson! Crunches in a powerful long pot to the right corner. It’s a while since he made one.
But it’s a tricky pink to follow, cueing over another red and he misses it. Leaves it short. Trump is back in now and the balls are all there at his mercy.
Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:44 , Luke BakerHmmm, another long red missed by Robertson. That’s one you’d back him to get eight times out of 10. It gives Trump another chance - can he finish this match off?
Mid-range red to start and this is a decent opportunity. He moves towards 30 points ahead with a couple of reds still out in the open but leaves himself a tough pink to right middle... Actually he truns it down and plays safe off the black.
The break ends at 28 and Robertson returns to the table.
Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:40 , Luke BakerNeil Robertson has to win three frames on the spin now. His long-range potting has deserted him at the worst time and he misses a red up to the yellow pocket by quite a distance.
In response, Trump bangs in a stunning long red to the left corner. He follows that with a long black to the right corner but the white runs away from him. The break ends at eight as another long red is missed.
FRAME TRUMP! Judd Trump 5-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:33 , Luke BakerRobertson gets the white behind the blue but sticks the red up over the middle pocket and immediately concedes the frame. Trump wins wins frame eight and he’s on the brink of victory at 5-3 up.
Judd Trump 4-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:31 , Luke BakerTrump in complete and utter control now. He makes a break of 67 and Robertson needs two snookers. He plays on and clears to three of the remaining four reds before laying a snooker behind the black on the last red.
A tricky little situation for Trump to navigate here. And he misses the red - there’s one of the two snookers Robertson needs. Now time to try and get the other one.
Judd Trump 4-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:25 , Luke BakerTrump rolls a pink towards the middle pocket and it’s missing low but flicks off the brown and drops in. A raise dhand in apology from the world No 1.
He’s 50 points ahead now though and most of the balls are waiting for him after a little cannon. Just a couple more pots needed to win this frame...
Judd Trump 4-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:23 , Luke BakerIt’s a bit of workmanlike break from Trump, he’s chasing the cue ball round the table a bit and having to pull out some trickier pots than he would like.
But he sticks at it and gets nicely back in position with a slow black to move the break to 28. This is turning into a very good chance.
Judd Trump 4-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:21 , Luke BakerOoooh, that’s not good from Neil Robertson. Misses a very makeable red to the right corner when the break is on just six. That could be costly. Trump is left right in among the balls.
He could really put a nail in Robertson’s chances here.
Judd Trump 4-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:17 , Luke BakerRobertson misses a long straight red to the right corner pocket - you’d have fancied him to get that. Trump doesn’t miss his opportunity when a red is left over the left corner pocket but then misses a tricky brown to the middle.
He leaves Robertson plum in, although the black is tied up. But stilla good scoring opportuniy for the Australian, who really needs to win this frame.
RE-RACK! Judd Trump 4-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:11 , Luke BakerWe go through some safety exchanges early in frame eight but we get a bit tied up with both players just nurdling the cue ball into the pack, so it’ll be a re-rack.
We start again!
CENTURY AND FRAME TRUMP! Judd Trump 4-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:03 , Luke BakerThis is more like the Judd Trump we expected - from 3-1 down, he’s steadily improved and taken control of this match. Does Neil Robertson have any answers to this barrage?
A nice plant by Trump takes the break beyond 70 points, wraps up the frame and now he’ll try to make the century. The last red is tight on the left cushion and his brilliantly cuts it into the yellow pocket to keep the break alive. Exhibition stuff! HE COMPLETES THE CENTURY WITH THE YELLOW and goes on to make a clearance of 126.
Judd Trump wins frame seven and leads for the first time at 4-3.
Judd Trump 3-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:00 , Luke BakerTrump frees up the pink early in the break with a cannon which gives him another option and his lead soon approaches 40 points. He’s just heating up in this match when it matters most, as you might expect from the world No 1.
He stays clean as the break passes the 50 mark, pulling out a nice flick on a red to move it out of the way and leave him a pot on the black. He might need one more cannon on a later reds but that’s the only issue that could stop him winning this frame now.
Judd Trump 3-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:55 , Luke BakerTrump breaks the stalemate with a long plant to the bottom left corner. The reds are nicely spread although the pink and black are now tied up, so he’ll be working with the blue.
He’ll still hope to build a useful lead.
Judd Trump 3-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:52 , Luke BakerA bit of VAR action at the York Barbican as Trump isn’t sure if he just flicked the green ball with the tip of his cue as he played the white into the pack of reds.
Very honest from Judd to potentially call a foul on himself and both players and the referee huddle round the TV camera to view a replay. There’s nothing conclusive, so no foul given and we play on.
FRAME TRUMP! Judd Trump 3-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:42 , Luke BakerTrump slowly but surely seems to be finding his stride in this match. There are no real dramas as he passes the threshold to leave Robertson needing snookers at 52 ahead with 51 points remaining
A nice pot on the black follows and Robertson will stay in his seat now. The final break is 73 and Judd Trump wins frame six to move level at 3-3.
This is essentially a best-of-five match now.
Judd Trump 2-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:37 , Luke BakerBoth players look very unhappy with the state of the table. Uneven bounces off the cushion and it appears to be playing heavy, making it hard to get the desired spin on the cue ball.
It means Trump has a couple of tough pots in his break but he keeps on rolling and the contribution passes 30. He pots a red to move to 35 and opens up the cluster of remaining reds in the centre of the table - nice shot. This is a good chance to win the frame at this visit.
Judd Trump 2-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:34 , Luke BakerRobertson misses a pot by quite a distance and the red rolls over the middle pocket to give Trump a simple starter. He then cannons into the pack from the blue, dislodges a few reds and lands nicely on one.
Decent points-scoring opportunity here for the world No 1.
Judd Trump 2-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:32 , Luke BakerRobertson gets a look at a long pot from Trump’s break-off but makes a mess of it and leaves the cue ball down the business end of the table. But Trump misses his long red to the green pocket in response! Let-off for Robertson!
He then makes a pot to the right corner but the break soon ends on just seven when he cannons into the black and knocks it safe.
Judd Trump 2-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:29 , Luke BakerFive frames in a little over three hours – it has been attritional stuff for most of today. Will either man be able open their shoulders and string together some big breaks?
FRAME TRUMP! Judd Trump 2-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:28 , Luke BakerSafety mistake by Robertson and Trump can mercifully knock the pink into the green pocket. A big battle but Judd Trump wins frame 5 to narrow his deficit to 1.
Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:26 , Luke BakerRobertson gets a look at a long pot into the yellow pocket but over-cuts the pink. Not particularly close but the pink runs safe so no real damage done.
Wow! Superb safety by Trump in response, tucking the pink in behind the black near the bottom cushion and the white near the topcushion at the other end.
Robertson misses the first time, so six penalty points to Trump who is now 12 points ahead with 13 remaining. Robertson has to hit it this time... He does hit it and gets it safe, with the pink near the right cushion! He’s still alive in this frame.
Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:21 , Luke BakerNot a great positional shot from green to brown by Robertson and that means he can’t get nicely on the blue to get up for the tricky pink tucked to the top cushion.
A bit of cue power and this is a very tough pink. He trails 62-56 and if he misses it, he’ll leave it for Trump... HE MISSES IT! The pink rattles in the jaws and rolls away from the pocket. Trump back to the table but with a tough pot on the pink himself.
He plays safe, so this battle on the pink is vital now. Trump just needs the pink, Robertson needs pink and black to win the frame.
Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:18 , Luke BakerTrump can’t afford any mistakes from here but there’s one! A poor positional shot from yellow to green and he misses the cut back on the green.
Robertson trails 44-62 but if he clears the remaining colours he’ll nick this frame...
Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:16 , Luke BakerLucky for Robertson! His safety shot sees the white trickling towards the yellow pocket but it stops right on the brink! An in-off there would’ve been a disaster. Good response by Trump to snooker Robertson on both reds.
Trump gets first look at a red but misses the pot to left middle as the red bounces off the knuckle. A disappointed groan from the crowd. But a couple of shots later, Trump pots a red to the yellow pocket.
The final red is unappetisingly tight to the side cushion but Trump makes the cannon and this is a great chance to win the frame now.
Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:12 , Luke BakerRobertson pots the opening red but can’t land nicely on a colour so immediately has to play safe. Two reds left and we’re locked at 44-44 - this is huge frame for both men now.- Whoever wins this safety battle and pots the next red becomes a big favourite in the frame.
Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:11 , Luke BakerAh, but it may have just gone wrong for Judd. The cue ball runs awry after he pots a blue to move 44-43 ahead, it’s tucked tightly to the green making a pot ona red very tough with hampered cueing.
He goes for a long red to he right corner but it ratles the jaws and it’s break over. Trump leads by a single point wih three reds left and Robertson has a red to get him going. This would be a hammer blow if he takes this frame.
Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 16:09 , Luke BakerBoth men have had chances in frame five but Judd Trump looks to be taking his. Robertson leads 43-0 when he comes to the table but the Englishman makes his highest break of he match when he passes 30!
A stunning shot from yellow goes around the angles and frees a cluster of three reds - that’s more like the Judd Trump we know. He’s approaching Robertson’s score in this frame.
WATCH: Neil Robertson knocks in century to lead 3-1
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:53 , Luke BakerHere’s how Neil Robertson wrapped up that century before the mid-session interval.
John Higgins 6-0 He Guoqiang
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:40 , Luke BakerOn the other table, John Higgins has hammered Chinese youngster He Guoqiang, who is making his debut at this stage of the UK Championship, 6-0.
Consumate performance from Higgins and he’ll face the winner of Trump v Robertson in the last 16.
HIGGINS WHITEWASHES HE! 💪
— WST (@WeAreWST) November 26, 2024
The Wizard of Wishaw defeats the 2023/24 Rookie of the Year in consummate style.#VPUKChampionship | @Victorianplumb pic.twitter.com/yHbeY34kwY
CENTURY AND FRAME ROBERTSON! Judd Trump 1-3 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:38 , Luke BakerRobertson still not quite at his smooth best but takes this opportunity, working around the blue, pink and black to cruise over the line with a few reds to spare.
He’ll be 3-1 up at the interval but can he make a century for good measure? The final red looks is tied up with the black but a glorious shot from the pink, screwing back of two cushions and arcing the cue ball into the red frees it up to be potted.
The ton beckons now and he reaches the milestone with the final pink before adding the black for a 107 clearance. Good stuff from the Aussie
Neil Robertson wins frame 4 and leads 3-1 at the mid-session interval.
Judd Trump 1-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:32 , Luke BakerSome granite safety from both men but eventually Robertson gets the opportunity and pulls out a long pot to the right corner. The reds are absolutely waiting for him here - he should wrap the frame up at this visit.
Judd Trump 1-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:22 , Luke BakerRobertson loses position as he flicks the edge of a red when he meant to go past it off the black. Just a safety and the break ends at at 31. Trump comes back to the table. Can he properly settle in this match?
Judd Trump 1-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:19 , Luke BakerNice long red by Robertson. He’s in first in this final frame before the mid-session interval, down the business end of the table with all colours available.
FRAME TRUMP! Judd Trump 1-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:13 , Lawrence OstlereTrump pots the final red and although he misses a tricky yellow down the rail, Robertson stays in his chair.
Judd Trump 0-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:06 , Lawrence OstlereBut no! Trump misses a very pottable yellow and the white swings around the table and drops into the right middle pocket to add insult to injury. The reds are a nightmare, though, so Robertson still has an awful lot of work to do to close the 40-point gap.
Judd Trump 0-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 15:03 , Lawrence OstlereTrump ends a safety stalemate by potting a thin cut with the rest, and he adds the blue, and another red, to leave himself within a couple of balls of winning the frame...
Judd Trump 0-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:59 , Lawrence OstlereTrump and Robertson exchange some pretty messy snooker, passing control of the table between one another. Trump currently leads this frame 37-3, but it’s Robertson at the table, trying to plot his way out of a tricky situation with a cluster of three reds closely surrounding the black.
He’s been pondering this for nearly a minute...
John Higgins 4-0 He Guoqiang
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:48 , Lawrence OstlereWhile Trump builds a steady break, John Higgins is dominating He Guoqiang on table one. He is struggling, with only nine balls potted and a high break of 14, and he will need to regroup in the mid-session interval.
Judd Trump 0-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:42 , Lawrence OstlereTrump makes an immediate statement of intent at the start of the third frame, taking on a loose red from close to the baulk cushion and slamming it into the heart of the left corner pocket. A kiss on the yellow leaves him on the brown, and this is a decent early chance to score.
FRAME ROBERTSON! Judd Trump 0-2 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:39 , Lawrence OstlereTrump leaves a thin but pottable cut to the left middle and Robertson accepts the invitation, knocking home brown and blue to clinch the second frame.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:36 , Lawrence OstlereWhat a crucial moment this could turn out to be... Robertson snicks the green in an attempt to send the cue ball safe, but inadvertently doubles it into the yellow pocket! A total fluke, and the Australian puffs out his cheeks and raises an apologetic hand. Trump sits and stares blankly back at him.
The frame isn’t over, though, as Robertson isn’t on the brown and will need to play safe.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:32 , Lawrence OstlereTrump pots the yellow to trail by six, but the green is tucked safe against the side cushion and a safety battle ensues. The rest of the balls are spread quite nicely, so whoever pots the green will have a good chance of winning this frame.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:29 , Jack Rathborn“Haha, no chance,” remarks Robertson, with the crowd laughing too after the Australian poses for a massé shot with both men on the yellow as this tense frame meanders to a conclusion.
Delicate shots played by both men, back and forth, Robertson, ahead by eight, runs the white up to the top cushion.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:24 , Jack RathbornDrama here, but not what you’d expect, a couple of basic snookers and both players miss, first Robertson’s two misses and now Trump, tucked in behind the black. He plays off the baulk cushion, but too much side!
Third attempt, it’s magic, dead weight and the white rests close to the red on the side cushion. Trump left with an opportunity after a poor shot from Robertson leaves a long ball on and he drains it, coming back up the table to the black, but... What a miss from Trump! A scrappy frame with both players making a litany of errors.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:19 , Jack RathbornPlay has resumed and Robertson at the table, but not left with much.
A short break of eight, he glances the black in a bid to play safe, Trump works the white back to the middle of the table and secures the snooker.
Up steps Robertson, he comes off the side cushion but misses the red, foul and a miss... The Aussie takes another go, same shot, same outcome!
The frame is 31 minutes, without the disruption, a tense moment in this match... Trump now down 45-44 only, and he returns to the table after Robertson makes contact with the red.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson - PLAY SUSPENDED
Tuesday 26 November 2024 14:05 , Luke BakerRobertson gets himself a few more points before running out of position and Trump then finds a lovely red himself. Nothing in this now, with Robertson 37-36 ahead.
But play is then stopped. According to the World Snooker, someone in the audience has been taken ill. The players and referee leave the arena and the crowd are then asked to leave as well, presumably so the person can receive treatment.
We’ll keep you updated and return shortly.
Play has been suspended as a member of the crowd has been taken ill.#VPUKChampionship | @Victorianplumb
— WST (@WeAreWST) November 26, 2024
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:53 , Luke BakerUnexpected miss from Trump. He’s rattling along, the break reaches 35 and then he misses a routine green into the top corner pocket. Perhaps thinking too much about his next shot.
A second bad mistake from Trump after that missed blue in the first frame and this frame is still up for grabs, as he only has a minimal 35-22 lead with plenty of reds left.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:49 , Luke BakerVintage Judd Trump. It turns out Robertson didn’t get the ball safe and the Englishman plucks out a gorgeous long red - powered in. This is an important visit for Trump - he needs to make his mark on this match.
The pink is tied up for the moment, and the black only available to one corner, so Trump will have to mostly work with the blue but the reds are nicely spread.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:47 , Luke BakerRobertson has been known in the past to be more... erm... considered and methodical in his pace of play against Trump, which perhaps slows down the free-flowing Bristolian, who has expressed frustration at the tactic. He’s certianly not hurrying round the table so far today, let’s put it that way...
He pulls out a stunning plant on a red to the right corner but the cue ball ends up nowhere. Just one extra point for Robertson before playing safe then. 22-0 the lead.
Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:42 , Luke BakerNeil Robertson first to the table in frame two but can only score nine points. A good safety earns him another 12 as Trump twice hits the pink trying to land on the pack of reds, so the Robertson lead moves to 21 points.
If the Australian can outduel Trump in the safety exchanges then he’ll be in a great position to potentially win this match.
FRAME ROBERTSON! Judd Trump 0-1 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:32 , Luke BakerA long red rattles off both jaws but drops and Robertson edging closer to the finish line in this frame. He picks out a mid-range blue to the right corner and now it’s snookers required for Trump.
Trump concedes and Robertson wins the opening frame 57-19. A good start from the Australian - his mid and long-range potting has been on point.
Robertson strikes first! ⚡
— Eurosport (@eurosport) November 26, 2024
Neil Robertson takes the lead after the opening frame against Judd Trump in Round 1 of the UK Championship! pic.twitter.com/T5AgNdmSeG
Judd Trump 0-0 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:30 , Luke BakerSuperb pot by Robertson, blind into the right corner pocket but runs out of position, so no colour to follow.
He knocks the brown and green safe with his safety shot and leaves the table with a 50-19 lead and two reds remaining. Trump 31 points behind with 43 remaining in this opening frame.
Robertson the favourite but couldn’t get over the line at that visit.
Judd Trump 0-0 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:28 , Luke BakerRobertson negotiates himself down to a few reds remaining but he’s got a couple of awkward ones to deal with if he wants to win the frame at this visit. Very nice cannon, clipping the black away from an adjacent red.
The black is then potted as he moves 30 points ahead and just two more reds and colours needed...
Judd Trump 0-0 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:24 , Luke BakerTrump rattles a long-range red in the jaws and Robertson nicely clips one to left middle to give himself another scoring chance. He should be able to pick off the reds one by one for a litle while and he quickly overtakes Trump in the frame score.
He’s being very deliberate in his shot choice so far, not rushing at all. A break of 22 and counting for the ‘Thunder from Down Under’.
Judd Trump 0-0 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:20 , Luke BakerRobertson loses his cue ball a little bit, leaving a tougher-than-necessary red to the left corner. He pots it but the white runs to the side cushion and he’s forced to play safe. A missed opportuniy there.
Trump leads 15-7 as we settle in for some safety.
Judd Trump 0-0 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:18 , Luke BakerWow, that was unexpected. Trump misses a routine blue to the right middle when on a break of 15. No real excuse for missing that one, says Stephen Hendry in commentary.
Leaves Robertson a simple red to get started and the Aussie will now look to do some damage with his frist real scoring chance.
Judd Trump 0-0 Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:16 , Luke BakerFirst blood to Trump after Robertson misses a long red and leaves the Englishman a nice starter. He’s got a few reds out in the open to start building a lead before needing to worry about going into the pack.
Judd Trump v Neil Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 13:14 , Luke BakerThe players are introduced by human Energizer bunny Rob Walker and we’re about to ge underway. Remember, it’s a best of 11, so a race to six frames. They’ll have a mid-session interval after four frames.
UK Championship snooker - Trump v Robertson head to head
Tuesday 26 November 2024 12:59 , Luke BakerLet’s turn our attention back to today’s match between Judd Trump and Neil Robertson. The pair have squared off 27 times (excluding Championship League matches) and Trump holds the slight edge with 15 wins to 12.
Robertson won their most recent encounter at the Champion of Champions two weeks ago, when he triumphed 6-4, which avenged a 6-3 loss at the Saudi Arabia Masters earlier in the summer.
They actually met in the final of the 2020 UK Championship, amid the supporter-less, Covid bubble of Milton Keynes and Robertson won an epic 10-9 on the final pink after 1am.
Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘I wish I was more like Hendry and Davis’
Tuesday 26 November 2024 12:51 , Luke BakerRonnie O’Sullivan’s most recent World Championship title, won so emotionally at the iconic Crucible Theatre in 2022, more or less ended the debate surrounding snooker’s greatest player of all time. By claiming the world title for a seventh time, O’Sullivan equalled Stephen Hendry’s modern-era record, having already surpassed the Scot for most ranking titles (currently 41 and counting) and becoming the first man to make 1,000 century breaks in professional competition.
Throw in a captivating, swashbuckling, seemingly effortless style of play that means The Rocket’s reputation as a sporting genius has long since transcended snooker’s narrow confines, and GOAT status is undisputed.
Yet as those who have followed his rollercoaster career, or watched his candid, raw 2023 documentary The Edge of Everything will be painfully aware, the almost endless trophies and triumphs haven’t always brought him happiness or satisfaction. Many a whitewash victory against an overmatched opponent has been followed by O’Sullivan slating his own performance for not quite reaching the impossibly perfect standards he demands of himself.
So perhaps it should come as no surprise that, in an exclusive interview with The Independent, he reveals that he yearns to be more like those who came before him.
Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘I wish I was more like Hendry and Davis’
Mark Allen depressed with his form after scrappy first-round win in York
Tuesday 26 November 2024 12:41 , Luke BakerA downbeat Mark Allen labelled his own form as “depressing” after beating Jackson Page 6-4 in the first round of the UK Championship.
Allen sealed the win with an impressive clearance from the green, but managed a highest break of just 56 in a low-quality contest in York.
“It’s actually quite depressing to be honest, the way I’m playing at the minute,” the world number three told the BBC. “It’s not much fun. I’m trying so hard and I just can’t play. I’ve always backed myself under pressure but there’s something technical that’s not right because I’m missing so many easy balls.
“It’s hard to take any positives out of that, other than the fact that I got six frames. I’ve been trying so hard the last few months and it’s really getting me down because things are really good at the minute in my life and snooker’s just awful. Absolutely awful.”
Kyren Wilson overcomes headache to thrash Stephen Maguire at UK Championship
Tuesday 26 November 2024 12:31 , Luke BakerWorld champion Kyren Wilson shrugged off a headache and concerns over the speed of the tables to sweep past Stephen Maguire 6-0 in the first round of the UK Championship.
Wilson dominated what had been a scrappy afternoon session at the Barbican Centre in York to take a 4-0 lead – with neither player able to build a half-century break.
After the interval Wilson – who has won two ranking titles already this season – finally found some rhythm as a run of 71 put him within a frame of victory.
After Maguire, who won the 2004 UK Championship title, missed another chance to build a response, Wilson, already 27 in front, took the opportunity to clear up to the pink.
Kyren Wilson overcomes headache to thrash Stephen Maguire at UK Championship
UK Championship snooker - Trump v Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 12:22 , Luke BakerStanding in Trump’s way is Neil Robertson. The Australian has been similarly prolific throughout his career, racking up 24 ranking event titles to sit seventh on the all-time list (Trump is fourth).
The 42-year-old recently dropped out of the world’s top 16 meaning he had to qualify for York, which he did so by squeaking past Oli Lines 6-5 before downing Matthew Stevens 6-2. That match sharpness could come in handy.
Robertson is a three-time UK champion and even as a qualifier, is more than capable of getting on a run and winning the event. He ended a 29-month title drought at the recent English Open, so is back towards his best.
UK Championship snooker - Trump v Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 12:11 , Luke BakerThis should be an absolute cracker this afternoon. In one corner, we have Judd Trump who has been snooker’s most consistent force over the past couple of seasons.
He’s currently world No 1, and hundreds of thousands of pounds ahead of his rivals on that list due to racking up seven tournament victories in the last 15 months.
Of course, the knock on Trump will always be that he doesn’t win enough of ‘the big ones’. He ‘only’ has four victories at snooker’s triple crown events (the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters) and he is trying to win the UK Champs here in York this week for just the second time, after his 2011 success.
UK Championship snooker - Trump v Robertson
Tuesday 26 November 2024 11:50 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of the UK Snooker Championship in York, where Judd Trump faces Neil Robertson in a tasty first-round clash this afternoon.
Stick with us for all the action
