Judd Trump’s bid for a third ranking title in a row remains on track, but he was put through the wringer before securing a 4-3 win over Noppon Saengkham.
After snapping a lengthy drought in ranking events, Trump won the English Open and backed it up the following weekend at the Wuhan Open.
Trump arrived in Belfast looking for another piece of silverware – and his fourth Northern Ireland Open crown.
His form this week has not been as sharp as in Wuhan, but the will to win and confidence gained from his fine recent run enabled him to fend off a stern challenge from Saengkham.
Saengkham told Eurosport before his match with Trump that he would look to play his shots, and his aggressive approach was rewarded with the opening frame.
It was a frame Trump could have snatched after needing snookers, but he ran out of position from green to brown and after a safety battle Saengkham got himself in front.
Trump made a break of 67 in the second, but he left himself open for a counter and Saengkham threatened to snatch it – but it was his turn to falter as he went in-off from the brown as Trump got over the line to level the scores.
A classy break of 85 was enough for Noppon to take the third, but Trump responded with his 35th century of the season to level things up.
The quality of play was high, and Noppon picked off a superb break of 109 to edge back in front at 3-2.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/10/27/3812784-77507613-2560-1440.jpg)
‘Wonderful break’ – Noppon makes fine century against Trump at Northern Ireland Open
A scrappy table resulted in an epic sixth frame. Trump eked out a small lead and in a low-scoring affair it proved to be crucial.
The frame boiled down to a battle on the colours, with both players producing safety out of the top drawer.
Trump eventually forced an error after a battle on the brown, and he picked off the colours he required to force a decider.
Under huge pressure, Trump produced a fabulous break of 92 for his 17th win in a row in ranking events.
Stephen Maguire will be Trump’s opponent in the quarter-finals after he won a decider to beat Joe Perry 4-3.
The best-player-never-to-win-a-ranking-tournament tag sits heavy on Jack Lisowski’s shoulders, but his excellent progress at the Northern Ireland Open continued with a comfortable win over Aaron Hill.
Lisowski is desperate to shed his maiden tag, after losses in six ranking finals, and he eased into the quarter-finals on Thursday.
He opened up with a glorious break of 116, and further runs of 60, 61 and 83 wrapped up a 4-1 win and a meeting with Ricky Walden.
