Michael Judge falls at first hurdle in quest for Crucible spot

Michael Judge has been beaten in his opening qualifier for the World Championships, going down 10-2 to Florian Nuessle.

Judge returned to the table this afternoon 7-2 down and needed a good start to get back into the contest, but Nuessle wasted little time in putting the match to bed.

The Dubliner had taken the opening frame yesterday, but lost three of the next four to trail by one after five frames. It would be the last frame he would win, losing the next seven on the bounce to end his season, with defeat to the Austrian also meaning that Judge has lost his tour card.

The 48-year-old already confirmed to RTÉ Sport last week that he planned to go to Q School to try to secure another two-year tour card if he failed to qualify for the Crucible.

Elsewhere, Aaron Hill leads his match against women's world champion Baipat Siripaporn by 7 frames to 3, with the match being played to a conclusion over the next few hours.

While fellow Corkonian Ross Bulman has the upper hand on Barry Pinches, and he'll take a 5-4 lead into the concluding session this evening.