Judd Trump has enjoyed an impressive run at this year’s Championship League to top Group seven after the opening day. Trump, who is priced at 8/1 to win the World Championship 2018 outright, is bidding for a spot in the winner’s stage after suffering a number of near misses earlier in the competition and Monday’s performances have massively boosted his chances.
The world number three has won the Championship League on three occasions – in 2009, 2014 and 2016 – and he is looking to add another title to his CV in 2018. He kicked off the day with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Jimmy Robertson before defeating Ricky Walden 3-1 and he then went on to edge past Dominic Dale 3-2 in his final engagement. The Englishman comes up against John Higgins, Robert Milkins and Luca Brecel on Tuesday as he looks to advance from group seven. Meanwhile, world number 39 Dale currently sits second in the group seven standings after winning two of his four trips to the table.
Dale proved too strong for Milkins and Brecel but fell to defeats against Robertson and Trump and he faces a tough run on Tuesday with Walden and Higgins still to come. Robertson and Higgins, who sit third and fourth respectively, will be confident of finishing in the top-four and subsequently advancing to the winner’s stage after winning two of their three respective matches.