Luca Brecel subdues Judd Trump to reach the semi-finals

On Thursday night, Luca Brecel made it to the Tour Championship semi-final after he comprehensively defeated Judd Trump 10-6.

A remarkable 10-6 victory saw Scottish Open champion Luca Brecel eliminate Trump in their quarter-final clash in Llandudno. The win came in the ongoing Tour Championship, which is the final ranking event before the World Championship.

Trump has won the Turkish Masters this year, the only ranking title he has won this year compared to five the season prior. However, on Thursday night, it was a poor performance from the snooker legend, who had many routine misses, which began with a brown in the opening frame that he would have sunk.

The morning session ended with Lucas Brecel leading Judd Trump 6-2. In the evening, Trump started with a stunning long plant but immediately snatched at the subsequent yellow to return to his chair.

Trump did his best to reduce the deficit to 57-34, but he missed a thin cut on the black after the 15th red, and Brecel played in the yellow and green to win the frame.

Trump decided against chasing two snookers with four colours left, and Brecel then went for power at the start of the 10th frame, but his miss opened up the reds and provided Trump with a strong opportunity to win in one visit.

In the game, Judd Trump trailed 6-2 and 8-3 and even cut the deficit to 8-6. However, the comeback ended there as Brecel took the next frame and moved within one frame of victory.

Brecel sealed his victory with the very next frame, posting 73 to win the game 10-6. The Belgian displayed his intent of winning the Tour Championship and showed the potential of claiming the World Championship next month.

Luca Brecel will face John Higgins in the next game, while Ronnie O’Sullivan takes on Neil Robertson in the other semi-final clash.

Written by: Collins Nwokolo