Strong finish helps Trump to set up Higgins clash

SNOOKER

JUDD TRUMP has secured his place in the World Championship quarter-finals by beating Welshman Ricky Walden 13-9.

World number four Trump sealed a last-eight clash against four-time winner John Higgins with a final-frame clearance of 103.

The pair were locked at 8-8 overnight, but Trump, 28, won five of their six frames with the help of three half-century breaks. World number 27 Walden, 35, won yesterday’s opening frame to edge 9-8 ahead, but Trump took the next five with runs of 66, 70, and 66 before finishing with his fourth century in the last.

China’s Ding Junhui earlier sealed his place in the last eight by completing a 13-4 win against Anthony McGill. The world number three, who had built a commanding 12-4 overnight lead, won the opening frame in the morning’s session and will play Barry Hawkins in the last eight.

Ding, 31, was in fine form against McGill, compiling three century breaks and five half-centuries on Sunday before sealing the deal.

He had raced into an 8-0 lead in a one-sided morning session and never relinquished control against his Glaswegian opponent.

Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen has already booked his last-eight clash with Kyren Wilson.

Mark Williams booked his place in the quarter-finals following a 13-7 win over Robert Milkins. With the Welshman needing just three frames to set up a last-eight clash with Ali Carter, who knocked out Ronnie O’Sullivan, Williams opened the evening session with a 101 break to move 11-6 ahead.

Milkins replied to take the 18th frame, but Williams ensured an early finish to the evening session with a run of 83 in the next before clinching the match with another half-century break. World Championships, Live, BBC 2, 10.0am