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World Snooker
SportHong Kong

British Open: China has glut of contenders, while Judd Trump could go to Hong Kong as No 1

  • 11 mainlanders through to last 32, as Trump aims to reclaim top ranking from Ronnie O’Sullivan before the players move on to the Hong Kong Masters
  • But Hong Kong’s hopes are ended as Ng On-yee and Andy Lee are beaten

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Judd Trump has a chance to become world No 1 again this week. Photo: WST
Shirley Chui
Hong Kong’s Ng On-yee has been knocked out of the British Open, but 11 mainland Chinese players stayed in the hunt and Ng’s mixed-doubles partner Judd Trump moved closer to becoming world No 1 before he heads to next week’s Hong Kong Masters.
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No 2-ranked Trump has got off to a flying start in Milton Keynes, the same venue as last weekend’s inaugural World Mixed Doubles.

Having already defeated China’s Si Jiahui 4-1 in the first round, which included a clearance of 139 in the second frame, Trump saw off Scotland’s Dean Young 4-0 in the second round in just 61 minutes.

The 33-year-old will reclaim the top spot if he takes the British Open title and with it the winner’s cheque of £100,000.

“It would be nice to get to No 1 off the back of winning a tournament – that would give me an extra sense of achievement,” Trump said during a post-match interview with World Snooker Tour. “Any time you get to No 1 is special.”

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Trump could displace world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who was knocked out in the first round by Switzerland’s Alexander Urenbacher on Monday.

On Thursday, Trump was set to take on another Chinese player, world No 75 Xu Si, in the last 32.

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