Judd Trump was soundly beaten by Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of last week’s Shanghai Masters but he has a chance to return to winning ways at the Dafabet Northern Ireland Open. World number three Trump would have fancied his chances going into Saturday’s final at Shanghai Grand Stage, but he was second best throughout his 10-3 defeat to fellow Englishman O’Sullivan.
The 28-year-old now must dust himself down for this week’s tournament in Belfast, an event he has never previously played in after withdrawing from the inaugural competition last season. Trump will take on another fellow Englishman in the form of Stuart Carrington in the opening round at Waterfront Hall and he will be confident of beating the world number 52, as he has won both their previous meetings, including at the World Championships in 2015.
The Juddernaut’s recent form also suggests he should have too much for Carrington, as he claimed overall glory at last month’s European Masters, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the non-ranking Hong Kong Masters and the final of the beforementioned tournament in Shanghai. The 2011 World Championship finalist is priced at 1/4 to secure his passage through to round two, while Carrington is available at 14/5 to spring a surprise.
Trump is not the only big name in first round action on Tuesday, as his conqueror in Shanghai, O’Sullivan, is playing against German Lukas Kleckers, while the likes of Ali Carter, John Higgins and Barry Hawkins will also get their tournaments underway.
Dafabet Northern Ireland Open odds available at Dafabet.