Judd Trump fends off dramatic Farakh Ajaib comeback in incredible match to book place in European Masters quarter-final

Judd Trump fended off a stunning comeback from Farakh Ajaib to win 5-4 in an extraordinary match to book a place in the quarter-finals of the European Masters. Ajaib was on the cusp of a huge shock, with Trump needing snookers in the final fame, only for an in-off to give him an opportunity to steal the match and progress to the last eight which takes place later on Friday.

Ad Trump took advantage of a missed black from Ajaib in the first frame to make a break of 102, before winning a scrappy second fame which saw both players miss their chances. European MastersTrump sets up last-16 clash with Ajaib after win over Higginson20 HOURS AGO Ajaib, who is an amateur and lost his tour card at the end of last season, responded with two visits to the table which was enough to seal the frame.

In the fourth, Ajaib missed the blue which would have set him up to take the frame with easy. Trump had an opportunity to force a re-spotted black but missed a cocked hat double off three cushions after a safety exchange, leaving Ajaib to slot the black into the green pocket to level the match at 2-2.

The 2019 world champion appeared to be back on track with a break of 88 and edging a tight sixth frame to need just one more to win the match. He had a chance to win the match but missed a difficult brown along the baulk cushion, as Ajaib hung in, with the game taking another twist.

A brilliant long red which set up a great break of 69, with Trump unable to find the snooker he needed to give himself a chance of getting back into the frame, so the match went into a decider. ‘More like a hammer!’ – Dale feathers white and calls fouls on himself immediately ‘It takes character, b******s, courage’ – O’Sullivan on why success is ‘a very lonely