Welsh Open 2022 - Judd Trump battles to win over Neil Robertson to book semi-final spot

Judd Trump’s hopes of winning a first Welsh Open title remain on course following his 5-3 win over Neil Robertson. Trump has had a poor season by his own high standards, and is still seeking a first ranking title of the campaign. Ad/> He could put that right in Newport this week after producing some of his best snooker in some time to beat Robertson.

Welsh Open'Phenomenal' — O'Sullivan in awe as White pulls off Trump's brilliant banana shot2 HOURS AGO It wasn’t free-flowing, high-scoring snooker, but he mixed excellent potting with hard match play — and withstood a fightback from Robertson — to secure the win and a place in the semi-finals. A nervy, 25-minute opener saw both players miss balls they would normally pot with their eyes closed. A simple, missed red from Robertson after Trump had gone in-off was the telling moment as the latter stepped in to secure the first frame.

Robertson — who has played the best snooker so far this season — knocked in a glorious long red to seemingly settle the nerves, but missed a simple pot moments later. However, a poor safety from Trump handed a second chance to the Australian and he levelled the contest in style with a superb 95. Winners win, losers lose — O'Sullivan questions mindset of players He could never look boring if he tried — O'Sullivan praise for Lisowski Two potting machines delivered a high-order safety battle in the third, with Trump repeatedly escaping snookers as Robertson chased a way back into the frame.

Trump never wavered and after laying a snooker of his own, Robertson conceded after failing to make the escape. World No. 3 Trump was much the better player before the interval, and pounced on a miss from Robertson to establish a two-frame lead at the mid-session