UK Snooker Championship 2021: Mark Selby and Ding Junhui out, Judd Trump through
Greg Mcfee The world of snooker is in turmoil with two top players, Mark Selby and Ding Junhui, retiring from the game after losing their respective finals. As they leave behind a legacy that includes countless titles won at the highest level, what will happen to snooker? Who will be left on top? What can we expect for this new era without these two titans holding up the trophy every year?
The “uk championship snooker results 2021” is the result of the UK Snooker Championship. Mark Selby and Ding Junhui were knocked out by Judd Trump, who went on to win the tournament.
| York Barbican is the venue for this event. Dates: November 23rd through December 5th One, Two, iPlayer, Red Button, Sport website and app are all covered. |
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Mark Selby, the world number one and world champion, was stunned in the second round of the UK Championships, losing 6-2 against Iran’s Hossein Vafaei.
As Vafaei gained charge, Selby went 5-0 adrift, and after pulling two frames back, the world number 63 won the match by fluking in a respotted black.
Judd Trump, the favorite, had to fight hard to beat Chris Wakelin 6-3.
Wakelin led 3-2, but world number two Trump won four straight games to advance to the next round.
There have already been a few surprises in the competition, with incumbent champion Neil Robertson, past winner Shaun Murphy, and Masters champion Yan Bingtao all withdrawing early.
Trump, who won the trophy for the first and only time in 2011, was a defeated finalist last year in an epic battle and seemed to be on his way out while behind, but despite not being at his best, he clawed his way across the finish line.
After defeating John Higgins 10-4 in the Champion of Champions tournament last time out, Trump is the clear favorite for the UK Championship.
“You do a little bit, you can’t help yourself,” Trump said when asked whether he looks at the draw with other great names going out.
“When a game becomes rough, which isn’t how I want it to be played, I have to dig in and give it my all.” There were a few of frames I tossed, and there were a few more tables to contend with.
“In the past, when a game went like that, I would give up a little bit and go overboard attacking.” I’m going to let the balls decide what happens next, and I’m going to give it my best on every stroke.
“It absolutely comes with experience; I squeaked by on that one and am still in the running.”
Analysis
Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, on Two:
“Trump put forth a workmanlike performance. That is what you must do; you will not be able to fly immediately. He’ll be pleased with the victory, but he’ll hold himself to higher performance standards. Above all, he has advanced to the next round. Wakelin turned down a couple shots, which Judd took advantage of.
“Because the level is so high, you sometimes have to work hard for victories. You have to earn your wins; frames may be tough, and you can’t always make massive breaks.”
Vafaei has claimed yet another huge victory.
When Vafaei produced breaks of 106, 69, 55, and 56, Selby was on the verge of a whitewash, but the Leicester player got on the board in the sixth set before hitting 80 in the next.
Leicester’s Selby potted the last black in the ninth frame, but the cueball slid into the middle pocket, necessitating a respot.
Vafaei attempted a safety shot after a lengthy tactical exchange, but instead fluked the black into the middle pocket to win the match.
Vafaei’s second major victory of the season came at the German Masters, when he beat six-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0.
“Beating the best players is a huge accomplishment for everyone,” Vafaei remarked. “They are our legends, therefore I have to appreciate them; whether they win or lose, their names will always be remembered.” Mark Selby is one of our best advocates and a wonderful champion.
“I’m always game; I want to make my people proud of me, and I want to grow snooker in Iran beyond where it is currently. I’m not sure what strength God is giving me to become like that, but I’m grateful for it.”
Selby said, ” “Hossein was clearly the stronger player and deserved to win because I didn’t play well enough. He got off to a tremendous start and is a great front-runner who can blow anybody away if you let him get away.”
Ding, what happened to him?
Number 55 in the world Sam Craigie stunned three-time champion Ding Junhui by defeating him 6-3.
Craigie beat Chinese star Ding with breaks of 55, 69, 105, and 84 to win the championship the last time it was held at the Barbican Centre in 2019.
On Two, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry stated, “I don’t know what happened to Ding.”
“I’m not sure we’ve seen the best of him yet.”
“He seemed to have lost interest in the situation. He defeated John Higgins in the past event by twitching an easy red. He doesn’t seem to want any more pressure balls. I’m not sure where Ding will go from here.”
Meanwhile, 2004 winner Stephen Maguire was on fire, hitting two century and three more breaks of 70 or more to defeat China’s Tian Pengfei 6-1.
Jordan Brown of Northern Ireland advanced after defeating Pakistani player Farakh Ajaib by the same score.
Mark Williams, a two-time champion from Wales, was also eliminated following a shocking 6-5 loss against Anthony Hamilton of England.
