In the first round of the World Championship, the seeded 16 will clash with the 16 qualifiers, but there can be surprises even then, just think of the elimination of champion Luca Brecel on Saturday.
The Judd Trump-Hossein Vafaei battle could have been close, even though Trump was considered to have a better chance. The best Iranian player really knows a lot, but he couldn’t play at a high level throughout the whole match. Although he pushed an amazing 138 break in the sixth frame, he couldn’t even come close to this series of points in the other frames. Trump didn’t flash, but he still played better overall and won 10–5.
Trump will not have an easy time in the sequel, as he is playing against Tom Ford, who is playing in the form of his life.
WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP, SHEFFIELD
ROUND 1
Mark Selby (English, 5th)–Joe O’Connor (England, 30) 2–7
Chiang An-ta (Chinese, 11.)–Jak Jones (Wales, 44) 4–10
Shaun Murphy (England, 8th)-Lyü Hao-tien (China, 26th) 6-3 – partial result
Judd Trump (English, 3rd)–Hossein Vafaei (Iranian, 19.) 10 to 5
Ali Carter (English, 9th)–Stephen Maguire (Scotland, 28) 7-10
Tom Ford (English, 14.)—Ricky Walden (English, 32nd) 10 to 6
FIRST ROUND MATCHING (according to branch diagram)
Luca Brecel (Belgian, 1st)–David Gilbert (English, 31) 9–10
Robert Milkins (English, 16th)–Pang Chun-hsu (Chinese, 27th)
Ali Carter (English, 9th)–Stephen Maguire (Scotland, 28) 7-10
Shaun Murphy (English, 8th)–Lyü Hao-tien (Chinese, 26th)
Mark Selby (England, 5th) – Joe O’Connor (England, 30th)
Kyren Wilson (England, 12th)-Dominic Dale (Wales, 40th)
John Higgins (Scotland, 13th) – Jamie Jones (Wales, 41st)
Mark Allen (Northern Ireland, 4th)-Robbie Williams (England, 45th)
Judd Trump (English, 3rd)– Hossein Vafaei (Iranian, 19th) 10 to 5
Tom Ford (English, 14.)—Ricky Walden (English, 32nd) 10 to 6
Chiang An-ta (Chinese, 11.)–Jak Jones (Wales, 44) 4–10
Mark Williams (Welsh, 6th)–Zhe Chiahu (Chinese, 23rd)
Ting Chun-hui (Chinese, 7th)-Jack Lisowski (English, 17th)
Gary Wilson (England, 10th)-Stuart Bingham (England, 29th)
Barry Hawkins (England, 15th) – Ryan Day (Wales, 18th)
Ronnie O’Sullivan (England, 2nd) – Jackson Page (Wales, 43rd)
