Judd

World number one Judd Trump secured a hard-fought first-round win over Scotland’s Stephen Maguire on the opening day of the 2025 UK Championship at York Barbican.

Trump, who won this event in 2024 and 2011, defeated the Scot 6-4 in an entertaining clash to move into the last 16 where he will play China’s Si Jiahui.

Maguire, the 2004 winner, made breaks of 86, 111, 82 and 86 but also made costly errors, with Trump stealing the eighth frame on a respotted black having trailed 26-61.

Trump has not won a tournament since his success at the same venue 12 months ago. He lost in the final of the Players Championship, the Northern Ireland Open and the Champion of Champions.

Earlier on Saturday, Si became the first man through to the last 16 after making easy work of Wales’ Ryan Day with a 6-0 victory in just over two hours.

The Welshman failed to register a single point in four of those six frames, scoring only 55 points in total compared to 521 from Si, who made breaks of 61, 80 and 68.

Sixteenth seed Si also potted 151 balls, with only 16 from Day, whose highest break of the afternoon was only 22.

More to follow

World number one Judd Trump won six frames in a row despite joking that he was only playing at “10%” as he claimed a 6-2 victory over Zhao Xintong to reach the final of the Champion of Champions in Leciester.

China’s Zhao, the world champion, made breaks of 50 and 72 to take the opening two frames, with Trump initially appearing well out of sorts.

However, the Englishman responded with runs of 68, 73, 77 and 66 as he reeled off the next five frames before sealing his victory with a break of 63.

“From 2-0 I felt I controlled the game. I scored heavily and didn’t miss much. I am happy to be in the final because I am still not 100%, I’m probably at about 10%,” said Trump.

“I have changed my tip from brass to titanium this season and I am really struggling.

“I don’t feel comfortable or fluent, I really have to take care over every shot.

“When I play my best I know I will win nine times out of 10, but over the last few years I have learned how to win more often when I am not at my best.”

Trump has won just one of his previous five finals in this event, will now face Mark Selby or Neil Robertson on Sunday as he looks to claim his first title since the 2024 UK Championship.