Rory McLeod recorded the biggest win of his career, with a 10-8 win over Judd Trump in the First Round of the World Snooker Championships.
It is the first time Trump has lost in the First Round since his debut as a 17-year-old. The World number two, who was the pre-tournament favourite led 4-0 at one stage.
McLeod, competing in The Crucible for only the third time in his career had only won once at the venue. His previous appearances came in 2011, where he lost to John Higgins in the Second Round and a First Round loss in 2009.
A HUGE upset here at the @crucibletheatre! One of the biggest in recent years. Rory McLeod has beaten the form man Judd Trump.#ilovesnooker pic.twitter.com/7mFUCpjEnZ
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) April 19, 2017
Despite trailing 4-0, McLeod won the following five frames to lead 5-4 at the end of the first session. In a tense middle session on Wednesday, slow play resulted in the duo having to return later that evening to complete the match, that was only scheduled to take two sessions.
McLeod returned with a 9-7 lead, and despite losing the first frame, he won the 18th to complete a stunning upset. The 46-year-old will now face Stephen Maguire in the Second Round.
💬 "It's hard to quieten your mind at 9-7 up."
There was a nervy wait for Rory McLeod, but he's eventually got past Judd Trump.#ilovesnooker pic.twitter.com/HpyPcExR6f— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) April 19, 2017
Trump had been the form player on tour this season, with two ranking title wins, and five other tournaments where he reached the semi-finals. In eight appearances in the World Championships, he has failed to get past the Second Round on four occasions.
"It’s the best win of my career, to beat Judd Trump on centre stage is brilliant," McLeod said after the win. "I’ve always known I’m capable, it’s just actually doing it, we can all say we’re brilliant but it’s actually producing it when you need too, happily I’ve done it today."
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