Masters Snooker 2016 quarter-finals: Trump tackles Robertson
Published:
Lee Gormley | January 14, 2016
Masters Snooker 2016
- Masters Snooker, quarter-finals
- Friday, January 15th
- Break-offs: 13:00 GMT and 19:00 GMT
- Alexandra Palace, London
- Live on BBC Two or Eurosport
Trump faces rival Robertson in quarters
The enthralling rivalry between Judd Trump and Neil Robertson reaches a new chapter as the two collide in the Masters Snooker 2016 quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace in what should be another high-standard meeting.
This intriguing ongoing battle between England’s Trump and Australian export Robertson could not be closer, with their head-to-head record reading 12 professional victories apiece, with a single frame separating them in total competitive clashes.
Bristol’s Juddernaut enters the quarter-final encounter after dispatching gallant Glaswegian and Scotland’s man on-fire Stephen Maguire and Trump is 6/5 with Coral for another victory here, while Robertson seeks to continue his rampant road to further silverware success.
The Thunder from Down Under backed up his impressive Champion of Champions coup by prevailing in the UK Championship last year too, and the Triple Crown winner is 9/4 to take a 3-1 lead from the first mini-session this time around.
Trump relishing Masters test
Despite Trump’s influence on the sport and early career success, the 26-year-old has endured much Masters misery beforehand, but he managed to overcome it and win his first match at this event for three years against Maguire.
The Ace in the Pack had to withstand a fightback from his Scottish opponent to edge him out 6-4, and he is relishing the tournament which is right on his doorstep.
“It is never nice when someone comes back at you like that. You’re always looking behind and it puts you under a lot of pressure when you’ve got such a big lead,” said Trump.
“It’s a bit of relief to get through after not winning here for a couple of years – it’s such a big tournament and it’s so close to home, just 20 minutes from me.”
Trump is 7/1 to emulate his opening round 6-4 victory over Robertson, but the in-form Australian potting machine is the odds-on 4/6 favourite. Although, 6/1 on the Melbourne-born break-builder edging a final frame decider is promising with such a tight rivalry being fought out against Trump.
World champion Bingham battles rejuvenated Higgins
It’s not often the reigning Crucible king enters any match as the underdog, but in this Masters quarter-final evening session, that’s exactly the situation Stuart Bingham finds himself in against a revived John Higgins.
The 2015 world champion is 11/8 to triumph and reach the semi-finals, but faces a tough task against a two-time Masters winner who is enjoying a career renaissance.
Higgins dispatched a defiant Liang Wenbo in his opener and is 15/8 to down Ball-Run Bingham in his latest baize battle and make the highest break of this fascinating London encounter.
Related
Read our snooker archive.
Coral’s top tip: Back in-form John Higgins to beat world champion Stuart Bingham and make the highest break at 15/8.
