Defending champion Judd Trump romped to victory in Group Five of the Championship League in Coventry on Tuesday.
The Englishman responded well from an agonising 9-8 defeat to Stuart Bingham in the final of the Welsh Open on Sunday by comprehensively booking his place in March’s Winners’ Group.
Trump required just over 12 hours before he gained the opportunity to meet Bingham again, with a 3-2 defeat providing a modicum of revenge for the painful reverse in Cardiff.
That win set the 27 year-old on his way to a perfect record in the tournament, winning all six of his round-robin fixtures before recording successive whitewashes over Ryan Day and Mark Williams in the knockout phase.
Trump compiled seven centuries in the event, including a brace during his 3-0 rout of Day in the last four, and an even 100 to wrap up the triumph against Williams in the final.
It continues a love affair with the Championship League for the Bristol potter, who has emerged with the title a record three times since its inception in 2008, with a further final appearance in addition.
Trump told Championship League Snooker: “I thought it was going to be tough coming straight from the Welsh. I thought I would be tired but I went out to go for everything and a few people missed a few balls. I started to score heavy today so I managed to get through quite easily.
“I like this format. If I could play like this more often, with no pressure knowing even if you lose you will still play another match, and take that mentality to every game, then I can win a lot more.”
The European Masters champion joins David Gilbert, Anthony McGill, Mark Davis, and Barry Hawkins in the Winners’ Group, with two extra spots up for grabs.
Group Six commences on Wednesday with Williams, Day, the other beaten semi-finalist Shaun Murphy, and fifth placed Bingham all moving forward for another crack at qualification.
The quartet will be joined by newcomers Mark Selby, Ricky Walden, and Martin Gould as Kyren Wilson and Liang Wenbo were eliminated after finishing bottom of Group Five.
