UK Snooker Championship: Trump exit opens door for field
Published:Judd Trump’s defence of his UK Championship title didn’t even make it past the first round after he crashed out against world number 50 Mark Joyce – and that can only be good news for the rest of the field.
The man expected to replace Ronnie O’Sullivan as the poster boy of snooker has yet to emulate the Rocket’s number of world titles but he is at least living up to O’Sullivan’s ability to spontaneously combust over the baize.
Trump’s game fell apart in spectacular fashion as he slumped to a 6-5 defeat despite being 5-2 up at one stage.
There were no such problems for new favourite Neil Robertson though, with the Australian sweeping aside Tom Ford 6-1 thanks in part to an impressive four centuries.
The world number six and 2010 world champion is currently in at 10/3 to win the UK Championship at the 11th attempt.
He’s been given what should be a straightforward second round game against Barry Hawkins who has not made it beyond the second round of the tournament since 2005.
Robertson is 1/4 to emerge victorious form that clash and is a more tempting 4/1 to come through and win 6-3.
Meanwhile, second favourite John Higgins (9/2) has a slightly tougher second round clash against Mark Davis who saw off Chinese qualifier Cao Yupeng 6-1 in the first round.
Higgins should have more than enough to cruise past Davis at 1/3 but, despite winning the World Championship on four separate occasions, the Scot has just two UK Championships in his career (in 2000 and 2010).
Another big upset can be backed at 9/4.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
