Joe O’Connor delivered a stunning performance to claim his first-ever victory over Judd Trump, knocking the defending champion out of the World Open with a 5-2 win in Yushan.
O’Connor raced into a 2-0 lead, showcasing impressive break-building with a 64 in the first frame and an 89 in the second. However, Trump responded with a superb 117 in the third frame and leveled the match at 2-2 before the mid-session interval.
After the break, O’Connor capitalized on Trump’s missed opportunities, producing breaks of 51 and 69 to move one frame from victory. He sealed his spot in the last 16 in style with a century break, ending Trump’s 16-match unbeaten run in the tournament.
With Trump eliminated, his focus now shifts to the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next week.
Murphy and Holt Cruise Through
Shaun Murphy continued his dominant form in China with a 5-0 whitewash over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, securing victory with breaks of 83, 94, 94, 85, and 138. His flawless run follows his 147 break in the previous round against Zhou Jinhao.
Michael Holt also booked his last-16 spot with a 5-1 victory over Antoni Kowalski, reeling off five consecutive frames, including a 131 break. He will now face O’Connor in the next round.
Other Results:
- John Higgins defeated Robbie Williams 5-3
- Zak Surety edged past Duane Jones 5-4
- David Lilley beat Wu Yize 5-4
- Jimmy Robertson fought back from 2-0 down to defeat Aaron Hill 5-4
- Liu Hongyu knocked out Elliot Slessor 5-4
The World Open continues with more thrilling matchups as the tournament heads into the last 16.
