Judd Trump compiled a superb maximum 147 break as the German Masters qualifiers concluded on Friday in Barnsley.
The perfect knock came in the third frame of his 5-0 triumph over Lukas Kleckers, denying the young German a debut appearance in his home tournament in Berlin next month.
It marks the 146th maximum break in competitive snooker and the fourth of Trump’s career.
The maximum was also the 12th of 2018 as a memorable year on the baize reached its climax at the Metrodome, just four days shy of Christmas.
147 😁
— Judd trump (@judd147t) December 21, 2018
Joining Trump in booking a place at the Tempodrom are a whole host of the game’s top stars.
Mark Selby, who has been the world number one since winning the German Masters in 2015, compiled a brace of tons in a one-sided victory over John Astley.
Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson knocked in century breaks too in overcoming amateurs Kuldesh Johal and James Cahill respectively.
Their 5-2 scorelines were matched by Kyren Wilson, who beat Oliver Lines, while English Open champion Stuart Bingham inflicted a 5-0 thrashing on Niu Zhunag.
Scotland’s John Higgins had a much tougher time of it but eventually emerged from a titanic tussle with Chris Wakelin in a dramatic decider – one of several encounters that were determined by a 5-4 outcome.
Barry Hawkins, Jack Lisowski, Peter Ebdon, Yan Bingtao, David Gilbert, Michael Georgiou, and Kurt Maflin were all taken the distance before edging past their disappointed opponents.
Meanwhile, Matthew Stevens produced arguably the performance of the day as he reeled off four brilliant tons in outplaying Ken Doherty 5-2.
The 119 that the Welshman compiled to complete the success represented his 300th career century break.
Doherty’s fellow Irishman Fergal O’Brien enjoyed a better outing as he earned a 5-1 win against Liang Wenbo.
Elsewhere, former ranking event champions Ricky Walden and Jimmy Robertson advanced to the last 32 of what is often regarded as one of the best tournaments on the calendar.
Among the others to make it through was former German Masters runner-up Stephen Maguire, as well as Xiao Guodong, Li Hang, Robert Milkins, Ben Woollaston, and Duane Jones.
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