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Tom Bell

Judd Trump suffered a surprise defeat at snooker’s World Grand Prix in Hong Kong on Saturday, as he was beaten by Stuart Bingham in the semi-finals.
World No 1 and local resident Trump had been in sensational form all week and looked a strong favourite to contest the title, with plenty of support behind him at Kai Tak Arena.
However, Bingham, the world champion in 2015 but now down at 23rd in the rankings, has found form of his own during the 32-player tournament and rapidly took control, racing into a 5-1 lead.
Trump was not given the opportunity to repeat his 5-0 dismantling of Hossein Vafaei in the previous night’s quarter-final.
After regaining some rhythm to eke back two frames, Trump missed opportunities in the ninth, and Bingham capitalised to progress 6-3. He will face Neil Robertson for the trophy on Sunday.

Bingham said afterwards he was “over the moon” and “had a tear in the eye”.
Earlier, Robertson stared defeat in the face before reaching the final – then said he had started to daydream about going to watch the golf instead.
With the LIV Golf event in full swing in Fanling, Robertson stayed alive in his own tournament across town, recovering to win an epic semi-final with Shaun Murphy.
A keen fan of the fairways, Robertson had arrived this week with hopes of squeezing in a visit to Hong Kong Golf Club. Asked about his state of mind when he trailed Murphy 5-3 in their best-of-11 encounter, the Australian replied: “I was thinking about being able to watch the golf tomorrow.
“I guess not now.”
He has only himself to blame for that, having potted supremely to claim the final three frames for a 6-5 triumph – a day after blitzing the last four in his quarter-final.
Robertson had the initial momentum as he went 2-0 up with breaks of 114 and 104, watched by an afternoon audience that the Post estimated at about 1,000; the evening drew a few hundred more. There was the chance of a maximum 147 in the second of those frames until Robertson ran out of position with two reds left.
“Bit of a shame,” he said afterwards. “But it gave the crowd some excitement.”
Somewhat misleadingly placed at 19th and 12th respectively in the world rankings, Robertson and Murphy sit at No 8 and 10 in the one-year list and recent displays suggest both of these former world champions are heading back to higher perches.
Murphy recovered to 2-2 with a brace of half-centuries, and levelled once more at 3-3 before posting a 107 and a 77 to lead 5-3. Back came Robertson to force a decider, which he settled with a break of 114 after deciding to go for broke.

“To be involved in a match like that is really pleasing, especially the long red I knocked in at five-all,” he said. “There probably aren’t too many players in the world who would go for that. Shaun’s one of them.
“I’m going all-in. If I pot it, it’s a great chance to win the match; if I miss, my opponent’s got a great chance to win the match. Shaun was really complimentary about that shot afterwards.”
He added: “I thought it was a great match for everyone watching. Big breaks, bit of drama, great match.”


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World Snooker

World Grand Prix snooker in Hong Kong: Trump beaten by Bingham after Robertson comeback

Judd Trump was knocked out of the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Neil Robertson plays a shot against Shaun Murphy at Kai Tak Arena on Saturday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Shaun Murphy at the table in his semi-final clash with Neil Robertson. Photo: Dickson Lee

World Grand Prix snooker in Hong Kong: Trump dazzles with 146 break to storm into semis

Judd Trump has been in impressive form at Kai Tak Arena this week. Photo: Elson Li

Shaun Murphy in action against John Higgins in the quarter-finals. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Xiao Guodong’s World Grand Prix involvement ended against Neil Robertson. Photo: Jonathan Wong

World Grand Prix in Hong Kong: snooker MC Rob Walker urges ‘dynamite’ – and bigger crowds

Rob Walker said if he sensed “big energy” from the crowd at Kai Tak, he would “fire it up”. Photo: Handout

Rob Walker hoped to get the crowd to “explode into energy” from the quarter-finals onwards. Photo: Handout

Rob Walker said the new venue at Kai Tak was a “brilliant facility”. Photo: Handout

Hongkongers show up for snooker star Ding after Selby urges them to fill Kai Tak Arena

Ding Junhui concentrates during his match against Xu Si at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Mark Selby’s first match at the World Grand Prix drew a sparse crowd. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Sport

Hong Kong

Other Sport

Stuart Bingham upsets Hong Kong resident Judd Trump in semis, Neil Robertson edges Shaun Murphy – ruining his own hopes of watching LIV Golf


Stuart Bingham upsets Hong Kong resident Judd Trump in semis, Neil Robertson edges Shaun Murphy – ruining his own hopes of watching LIV Golf.


Kai Tak Sports Park

World Grand Prix snooker in Hong Kong: Trump beaten by Bingham after Robertson comeback

Stuart Bingham upsets Hong Kong resident Judd Trump in semis, Neil Robertson edges Shaun Murphy – ruining his own hopes of watching LIV Golf

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