The Masters tournament has witnessed a remarkable trend, with all eight first-round matches concluding with a 6-2 scoreline. World No 1 Judd Trump and Neil Robertson were the latest players to contribute to this astonishing streak, defeating Ding Junhui and Chris Wakelin, respectively. This unprecedented sequence of results has left fans and pundits alike searching for answers, as the top players in the sport continue to assert their dominance.
Trump, a two-time Masters champion, showcased his exceptional skill and composure as he overcame a spirited challenge from Ding. The Englishman crafted three centuries, including a stunning break of 116, to establish an early 3-0 lead. Ding, the 2011 Masters winner, refused to relinquish his hopes of a comeback, reducing the deficit with breaks of 98 and 53. However, Trump's experience and class ultimately told, as he responded with a solid 88 and a magnificent 117 to move within one frame of victory.
The decisive moment arrived when Ding went in-off while attempting to cut a red, allowing Trump to capitalize on the mistake and build a break of 109. This sealed his place in the quarter-finals, where he will face Northern Ireland's Mark Allen. In a post-match interview, Trump expressed his confidence and enthusiasm, stating:
"I feel confident and have got to a few finals recently, and it has taken some good players to stop me. I am full of confidence, and hopefully, I can go one better this tournament."
In the evening session, Neil Robertson and Chris Wakelin engaged in a closely contested match, with the score tied at 2-2 heading into the interval. However, Robertson, the Australian cueist, then produced a dazzling display of potting, reeling off four consecutive frames to secure a 6-2 victory. The highlight of his performance was a breathtaking break of 135, which left the crowd in awe. Robertson's win set up a quarter-final encounter with Kyren Wilson and completed an extraordinary 44,000-1 sweep of identical first-round results.
When asked about the unusual sequence of 6-2 scores, Robertson jokingly remarked:
"I wasn't even thinking about winning the match – just winning it 6-2. I didn't know if anyone had maybe had a pound on all the matches being the same scoreline or something. It is amazing. I hope I have made someone a multimillionaire. I have never seen anything like that before."The Australian's lighthearted comments belied the significance of his achievement, as he joined an elite group of players who have advanced to the quarter-finals.
The quarter-final lineup is now complete, with the following matches scheduled to take place:
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and potentially more surprising results. The question on everyone's mind is: will the 6-2 trend continue, or will the remaining players disrupt this unusual pattern? One thing is certain – the Masters has already provided plenty of drama and excitement, and there is still much more to come.
The road to the final is paved with challenges, and the players will need to be at the top of their game to succeed. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Masters is shaping up to be an unforgettable event. As the world's best cueists battle it out for the coveted title, fans will be treated to a spectacle of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The Masters has a long history of producing memorable moments, and this year's edition is already living up to its reputation.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
