World Snooker Championship 2024: Judd Trump three frames up on Hossein Vafaei

Judd Trump is on course for progression at the 2024 World Snooker Championship as he leads Hossein Vafaei 6-3 following the first session of their round one match on Saturday afternoon.

The champion here at the Crucible Theatre in 2019, Trump arrived in Sheffield as the second favourite for this year's crown having enjoyed another incredible season during which he has won five ranking event titles.

One of the standout opening round ties, both players missed early in frame one but it was Trump who settled first with a 63 break to get on the scoreboard. The following two frames were acts of snooker robbery, as a clinical Trump produced counter-attacks of 66 and 72 to steel frames where Vafaei broke down next to the finishing line in both.

Iran’s number one Vafaei recovered from those bitter disappointments in frame four, though, potting a super black to get in before being aided by a fluke as he opened his account.

After the mid-session interval, Trump was in a ruthless mood again as he punished a miss from his opponent when on 36, later constructing a decisive 56 to re-open a three-frame advantage.

Former Shoot Out winner Vafaei replied in frame six with a beautiful 138 total clearance - his highest break at the Crucible - to make it 4-2. However, when it looked like the 29-year-old was gaining momentum, he missed a routine red on 18 and Trump stepped in with a 77 for 5-2 before swelling his profit to four with frame eight.

In a pivotal final frame of the session, world number 19 Vafaei potted a fantastic red to open up and proceeded to fashion a crucial contribution of 74 to stay in touch at 6-3 behind overnight.

The duo are set to conclude their match on Sunday afternoon.