HIGHFIELD OFF TO THE HOME OF SNOOKER FOR TRUMP CLASH

SNOOKER: Liam Highfield will face world number one Judd Trump in the World Snooker Championship first round next week after coming through a mammoth qualifying campaign to reach the Crucible. Stoke-based Highfield endured an epic week just to reach the main event, overcoming Fan Zhengyi and Elliot Slessor in final-frame deciders before beating Zhou Yuelong 10-7.

China’s Zhou was the highestranked player at the English Institute of Sport, leaving the 30-year-old with plenty to celebrate already in Sheffield. But it’s all eyes on round one for Highfield, who couldn’t have asked for a tougher draw than the 2019 world champion Trump, who has won five ranking events this season alone.

“I’m elated, I have fond memories of getting there in 2018 so it’s been a shame not to have been back again before now,” said Highfield, who plays on Tuesday. “Zhou is an amazing player and the graft he showed when trailing in the match was incredible.”

This won’t be the first time Highfield has reached the Crucible, taking his place in the first round three years ago.

Victory wasn’t to come his way, losing 10-5 to Mark Allen, but he was certainly left all the better for the experience in South Yorkshire.

And with a small smattering of fans in attendance in the opening stages, Highfield is looking forward to creating yet more memorable moments. “I’m so happy to have played there before because it is one of the goals you want to tick off as a snooker player,” he added.

“I’m determined to produce good snooker and show some of the players I can play. “I’ve worked a lot on the mental side of the game over the past few weeks and I’m definitely noticing improvements as part of that. “My mum hasn’t been able to watch, she comes everywhere with me but with the pandemic, she’s not been able to watch live.

“That would be a nice thing for her if she’s able to be at the Crucible.”

· Watch the World Snooker Championship live on Eurosport and Eurosport app from April 17 to May 3