'Lucky' Trump hits back at Maguire after making last four

Judd Trump taunted Stephen Maguire after booking his place in the World Championship semi-finals with a 13-6 win that avenged his rival's "lucky" jibes.

Trump had taken offence at Maguire's pre-match claim that he was often fortunate to win many of his matches.

The 29-year-old didn't miss the chance to take a swipe back at Maguire after beating him in the last eight on Thursday.

"I got a lot of luck out there - I think that was the only reason I did win! he said sarcastically.

"I think it's obvious that people take it differently. Some people applaud their opponent and some people brush it off like it wasn't their fault -- so maybe that's just his way of looking at it."

Trump, who is targeting a place in his first world final since 2011, had built on his stunning opening session by winning the first two frames on Wednesday and establishing a 9-1 lead.

Maguire managed to claw his way back to respectability by taking four of the next five frames including a break of 110, but Trump was in no mood to hang around and swiftly responded with breaks of 68 and 82 to send him over the line with something to spare.

Shrugging off the fact that his win made him the new odds-on favourite for the title, Trump added: "It's always good to beat anybody that comfortably but there is a long battle ahead."

Asked to sum up his own performance in one word, Maguire responded: "S***" - which will duly earn him a £250 fine from the sport's governing body for swearing in a press conference.

Trump's semi-final opponent is qualifier Gary Wilson, who enjoyed a 13-9 win over former two-time finalist Ali Carter.

? 2019 AFP