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Judd Trump Advances in US Open Pool Championship

Snooker’s world number two has begun well as he changes pace with a different cue sport.

Judd Trump is through to the third round – or winner round 2 – of the 2021 US Open Pool Championship after dominating both of his fixtures in Atlantic City so far this week.

There has been much attention surrounding Trump’s decision to try a different discipline during what is a lull on the ongoing 2021/22 snooker calendar.

Trump played down his chances before the tournament started but has comfortably progressed past both of his opponents as he chases down the $50,000 top prize.

America’s Joe Magee was humbled 9-0 in the opening hurdle of the 256-player field, while Trump subsequently lost just two frames in overcoming Dhruvalkumar Patel of India on Tuesday with a 9-2 scoreline.

A berth in the last 32 of the US Open Pool Championship is at stake when Trump takes on Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Shammari on Wednesday.

The 2019 world snooker champion hasn’t been tested so far and harder challenges will lie ahead, but the 32 year-old has so far given a strong account of himself.

With a double-elimination format until the last 16, one defeat might not even spell the end of his aspirations of landing one of pool’s most coveted trophies.

While Trump may not be among the bookies favourites for glory, his participation has fuelled a significant amount of attention and some useful information can be found here concerning betting across the pond.

Other notable names in pool who have been untroubled in reaching this point are defending champion Joshua Filler, Alex Pagulayan, Corey Deuel, and Darren Appleton.

“I’ve been playing snooker for a long time and pool is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Trump told Matchroom Pool in the build-up to this year’s US Open.

“I never really had the opportunity or the space in between tournaments. I’ve kind of got a month off not doing anything else, and I’ve spoken to a couple of people behind the scenes that have been persuading me to try and have a go at it.”

“It always looks fun, and it’s something as a snooker player you always think it’s going to be quite easy, but I’ve had a couple of little practices and it’s a bit harder than it looks.

“I’m not really expecting much, for me it’s about trying new things and, who knows, in the future if pool picks up even more and we get time off I can hopefully combine the both of them.

Live coverage is available on Sky Sports.

Click here to view the draw.

Featured photo credit: WST

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