Trump on top against Vafaei

JUDD TRUMP rode his luck to establish a 6-3 overnight lead over Hossein Vafaei at the end of the first session of their World Championship first round clash at the Crucible.

Third seed Trump looked sharp and focused against the dangerous Iranian qualifier, but Vafaei was left to rue a series of missed opportunities ahead of their resumption this afternoon.

The 29-year-old Vafaei could easily have headed into the mid-session interval with a 4-0 lead over the 2019 champion, but instead it was Trump who kept his nerve to carve a 3-1 advantage that he seldom looked likely to relinquish.

Vafaei got in first in each of the first two frames but failed to capitalise on his chances and Trump delivered breaks of 63 and 66 to seize the initiative. Even a 60-point lead in third frame was not enough for Vafaei, who was punished for running out of position as Trump dispatched a 72 clearance to extend his advantage.

Vafaei finally got a frame on the board but normal service resumed after the interval as a missed black cost him the opportunity to reduce the deficit.

The Iranian responded with a cool 138 but Trump took the next two before a 74 from Vafaei in the final frame of the session left him with a flicker of hope.

Stephen Maguire produced two centuries but could not shake off ninth seed Ali Carter, who takes a 5-4 lead into their conclusion today.

The Scot made a storming start with breaks of 93 and 114, but was frustrated over untimely errors, before a nervy 55 in the ninth frame enabled him to keep in touch with the two-time former finalist.