Trump is a trooper as he makes it through to last 16 in Gibraltar

THE Gibraltar Open managed to go ahead this weekend despite the almost complete obliteration of the sporting landscape.

The tournament started in front of just 100 fans earlier in the week and was played behind closed doors after its first day.

Players were forced to pick balls out of pockets due to less referees than expected travelling to the event.

Indeed, many of the game’s top stars — including Neil Robertson, Ali Carter and Mark Allen — decided against taking part, though world champion Judd Trump was a willing participant.

He made it through to today’s last 16, carving out a 4-2 victory over Brazilian Igor Figuereido and then a 4-1 success against Martin O’Donnell.

John Higgins, Graeme Dott and Stephen Maguire also stayed away and the last remaining Scot in the event — Eden Sharav — was earlier beaten 4-1 by Englishman O’Donnell yesterday.

Mark Williams made it through to the last 16 with a 4-1 win over Martin Gould but fellow former world champion Mark Selby was defeated 4-1 by Lyu Haotian.

Kyren Wilson thrashed Luca Brecel 4-0 to also reach today’s latter stages on the Rock.

Meanwhile, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn has warned that this year’s World Championship could be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus crisis.

Hearn has already scrapped snooker’s China Open as well as a pool event in North America as the spread of the virus grows.

He hopes next month’s marquee event could go ahead as planned without spectators.

‘If there is the possibility of playing a tournament then we will, but that’s changing day-by-day,’ admitted Hearn.

‘If they said a maximum of 1,000 people can watch the World Championship then we’d go with that.

‘If they said only 500 people could watch, then we’d do that also.

‘But if they said it had to be played behind closed doors then, unfortunately, we’d have to follow the guidance.’