Masters: Judd Trump into quarter-finals after victory over Stephen Maguire
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 14/01/16 2:38pm
Judd Trump reached the quarter-finals of the Masters for the first time in three years as he beat Stephen Maguire 6-4 in round one on Monday.
Looking to gain revenge for Maguire's victory over him at the same stage of the 2015 tournament at Alexandra Palace, Trump battled back from losing the opening frame to establish a 4-1 lead.
Scotland's Maguire rallied well to bring things level at 4-4, but Englishman Trump subsequently claimed the next two frames to seal the triumph.
Trump will face the winner of Wednesday's match between Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
"It was a very high quality game," said Trump.
"I managed to get a good lead, then he played some great stuff to get back to 4-4. In the end I did well to win the last two frames.
"It's hard when you've got a big lead and then someone comes back at you, it puts you under a lot of pressure. It was important for me to make a break in the next frame.
"This venue is only 20 minutes from where I live so I really want to do well this week. I've lost in the first round here for the last two years so it's a relief to get through.
"I had a problem with my technique at the UK Championship [where last month he lost to Liang Wenbo in the last 32] which I couldn't correct at the time, so I went away and worked on it and it should be fine now.
"I've always had belief in myself and today's win gives me more confidence. Whoever I play next will hopefully be more scared of me than I will of them."
In Monday's other round one match, Barry Hawkins secured his first victory in the competition as he defeated Joe Perry 6-3.
Hawkins won the opening two frames before slipping to 3-2 down against his fellow Englishman.
But he held his nerve and reeled off four frames on the bounce to wrap things up and set up a quarter-final clash with Mark Allen, who beat defending champion Shaun Murphy on Sunday.
