Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Trump on for trio of triumphs

- BY NEIL GOULDING

HISTORY-CHASER Judd Trump stormed one step closer to a hat-trick of Northern Ireland Open titles.

World No.1 Trump is gunning to become the first player since Scotland’s Stephen Hendry in 1996 to win an event three years on the trot.

And he wasted little time in dispensing with Scott Donaldson with a fine 5-1 quarter-final win.

Legendary Scot Hendry was the last player to win the same tournament in three successive seasons when he won the UK Championsh­ip in 1994,

1995 and 1996.

“It will be very special if I achieve it,” admitted

Trump. “It’s been a special event for me, I’ve played Ronnie O’sullivan in two great finals already. You

look at the greats like Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Ronnie O’sullivan and when you look at a trophy you see a long list of their names winning it in a row.

“It just shows their dominance. For me you’re stamping your authority if you can do that. It’s not something that’s going to add pressure to me.

“It’s just something that will become an amazing achievemen­t if I win the title.”

World No.25 Donaldson hit a top break of just 49 as he failed to fire.

And Trump powered one step closer to the tasty £70,000 top prize with breaks of 70, 112, 52 and 86.

Meanwhile, World champ O’sullivan cruised into the semi-finals with a 5-2 victory over Ding Junhui.

The Rocket – who now faces rival Ali Carter – recovered from 2-0 down to win five frames on the spin for a comeback win.

 ??  ?? HOT SCOT Hendry was last to win three times on trot
HOT SCOT Hendry was last to win three times on trot
 ??  ?? MARCHING ON Judd Trump is into semi-finals
MARCHING ON Judd Trump is into semi-finals

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