The last 16 line-up of the Paul Hunter Classic was completed on Saturday after another busy day in Furth.
2010 champion Judd Trump recorded wins over Marc Davis, Joe Perry and Daniel Wells to reach Sunday’s finals day.
Trump, last year’s runner-up, was in good form as he knocked in three century breaks including a 130 in his victory over fellow top 16 player Perry.
The 26 year-old will take on Jamie Cope for a quarter-final berth following a resurgence in form from the twice ranking event finalist.
Cope’s having a good August, with narrow triumphs over amateurs Ashley Carty and Nico Elton before a 4-3 success over Graeme Dott sending him into the fourth round.
His come from behind win over the Scot was his seventh in row in all competitions, after winning four on the bounce to qualify for the Shanghai Masters a few weeks ago.
It’s good to see the 29 year-old recording some success as his talent has long been blighted by poor form, not helped by a medical condition that effectively can, at times, give him the yips.
Meanwhile, Welshman Mark Williams earned a brace of 4-2 victories over Chris Wakelin and Dechawat Poomjaeng to set up a clash with Scott Donaldson, who knocked out world no.1 Mark Selby in the last 64.
Ali Carter also remains in the hunt for his first trophy carrying ranking points since his return to the circuit last year.
The Captain surrendered only a solitary frame in beating Elliot Slessor, Aditya Mehta and Li Hang.
Carter will face the much-improved Jimmy Robertson after the Englishman enjoyed victories over Stephen Maguire and Marco Fu.
Finally, another pair of Englishmen in Michael Holt and Sean O’Sullivan advanced to Sunday’s showdown for the Waterford Crystal trophy.
It was a bad day for the Irish involved with Ken Doherty, Fergal O’Brien and David Morris all failing to make it past the first round.
Northern Ireland’s Joe Swail did manage to overturn Michael Leslie with a 4-1 scoreline on his 46th birthday but that was as good as it got for the Outlaw.
Four more wins are needed for the last 16 competitors today in order to capture the Paul Hunter Classic trophy.
As ever, there’s bound to be a terrific atmosphere in the Stadthalle in Germany.
