UK Snooker Championship 2020: Judd Trump faces Kyren Wilson in quarter-finals

World number one Judd Trump held off Ricky Walden’s fightback to reach the quarter-finals of the UK Championship, where he will face rival Kyren Wilson.

Trump severely punished errors from Walden with breaks of 85 and 65 to open up a commanding 4-0 advantage.

Walden rallied by taking three of the next four frames, including a 70 break, but Trump took the one required to comfortably advance with a 6-3 victory.

Englishman Wilson eased past former world champion Graeme Dott 6-1.

World number four Wilson made breaks of 89 and 69 as he surged 4-0 ahead and despite Scotland’s Dott pulling a frame back, he sealed victory with a cool 82 clearance.

It will be the sixth meeting between Trump and Wilson at the quarter-final stage or further of a ranking event this year.

Wilson told BBC Sport: “It [meeting Trump] is happening more and more and it is going to over the years to come. We are a similar age, similar end of the rankings and heading in the right direction in both our careers. Every credit to Judd for doing what he is doing at the moment.”

Wilson defeated Trump in last season’s World Championship quarter-finals on his way to the final and beat him at the 2018 Masters, so victory on Friday would complete a Triple Crown hat-trick.

Wilson added: “Our styles suit for having good matches. I always enjoy playing him and every time I draw him I look forward to it. We are always trying to beat each other and there is a healthy [contest] going on.”

Englishman Jack Lisowski made a century and further breaks of 65 and 62 to beat China’s Xiao Guodong 6-4 and reach the last eight where he will face Zhou Yuelong.

China’s Lu Ning made a century and three more breaks of 50 or over to defeat compatriot Pang Junxu 6-2 and set up a last-eight meeting against Joe Perry.

Mark Selby against Neil Robertson completes the quarter-final line-up.

Trump extends winning streak

With 12 ranking title triumphs since the start of the 2018-19 season, including the English Open and Northern Ireland Open this term, Trump has elevated his game to a different level, becoming a formidable attacking force yet equalling adept in the tactical department.

Although world number 46 Walden improved after the interval, Trump maintained control and extended his winning run to 13 matches, last losing in the Champion of Champions semi-final on 7 November.

Trump told BBC Two: “It is never easy against the top players and Ricky is a lot better player than his ranking is, I knew it was going to be tough. When you go 4-0 up, the other player has nothing to lose so is relaxed and he put me under pressure a bit towards the end.

“I am still practicing three or four hours a day and trying to improve and keep that number one spot for as long as possible.

“People are appreciative of having tournaments on, it still feels like the UK Championship, still feels special and you know it is a big event.

“I still get the butterflies walking into the venues, I want to win every game and don’t want this winning streak to end.”

‘Obscene’ Trump potting – analysis

1991 world champion John Parrott on BBC Two: “Ricky Walden gave himself too much to do, it was a valiant effort but you cannot give a 4-0 lead to the world number one

“With his cue power, Trump takes on shots that other players can’t and pulls off some screamers. One long red that he potted was obscene.”

Six-time world champion Steve Davis: “I don’t think Judd is in a hurry to win matches, he was not attacking too much and is waiting for big chances to open up.

“He is an opportunist and that makes him very difficult to play against. As an opponent, there are very few hiding places because he is so adept at pulling off shots.”