• The Masters

Trump snatches dramatic victory to avoid upset

Judd Trump in action against Barry Hawkins © PA Photos

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Judd Trump survived a scare as he booked his place in the quarter-finals of The Masters with a thrilling 6-5 victory over Barry Hawkins at Alexandra Palace.

The No. 2 seed was on the brink of defeat as he trailed 5-3, but dug deep to secure victory and set up a last-eight clash with Graeme Dott.

Trump, who crashed out in the first round of the UK Championship as defending champion last month, looked to be heading for a similar fate when Hawkins returned to the table in the tenth frame.

But Hawkins showed signs of nerves, and a missed blue followed by a botched safety shot proved costly as Trump grabbed the lifeline to force a decider before showing his signature fluency to wrap up victory.

After a cautious start from both players, Hawkins won the opening frame after a handful of errors from Trump. A potted white nearly proved costly for Trump in the second but a superb black saw him level the scores.

Hawkins took the lead once again with a break of 83, only for Trump to respond, scoring 99 to no reply to win the fourth frame before taking the lead for the first time. But a century break from Hawkins in the sixth saw him hit back before streaking to a 5-3 lead with knocks of 109, 85 and 61.

With his opponent on the verge of victory, Trump responded in style, stroking in a classy break of 105 to keep himself in the contest before clawing himself level after a tense tenth frame. Having forced a decider, the momentum was firmly in Trump's favour, and he needed just one trip to the table to wrap up victory with a commanding 107.

"Barry scored pretty heavily today and I don't know how I have turned it around," Trump admitted. "I kept breaking down and the nudges were not happening for me today but I am glad to get through."

Meanwhile, Shaun Murphy survived a fightback by Ricky Walden to set up a quarter-final clash with two-time champion John Higgins. Murphy looked to be firmly on course for victory when he led 4-1, but Walden hit back to level at 4-4. However, Murphy regained control, winning the final two frames to seal a 6-4 victory.

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