Trump has his eye on a first Welsh Open title after semi victory
JUDD TRUMP stayed on course for his first Coral Welsh Open title after beating Scott Donaldson 6-3 in yesterday’s first semi-final in Cardiff.
World No. 4 Trump, 27, made a break of 131 in the opening frame and never looked back against 22-year-old Scotsman Donaldson, who had never gone beyond the last-16 in a ranking event before this tournament at the Motorpoint Arena.
Trump followed up his brilliant opening run with a 55 in the second frame and edged a close third before Donaldson stopped the rot with 75 to make it 3-1.
Another halfcentury break moved Trump into a commanding 4-1 lead, before Donaldson fought back admirably to take the next two frames.
Breaks of 82 and 60 then clinched Trump a place in the title match against the winner of the second semifinal berween Stuart Bingham or Robert Milkins.
“It’s always special when you reach the semi-finals and finals,” said Trump, who won the European Masters in October.
“It’s a different atmosphere out there and you really thrive off it, so for me to play in the final here, in kind of my home tournament – it would be an amazing achievement to win it.
“I feel like I’ve really improved this season and it’s taking people at the top of their game to beat me.
“Every tournament I go into I’m fully prepared and give it my best shot. If I could win this and make it two ranking events in a season, it would feel like a step up to a different level.”