UK Championship 2023 snooker LIVE – Judd Trump faces Pang Junxu, Barry Hawkins, Mark Selby, Jack Lisowski also in action

He’s not feeling great – he’s been ill for four or five days, since attending Ronnie’s premiere, and he’s not the only one. He’s hoping to snaffle a frame, but is disappointed because he’s been playing really well until now, and he’ll do his best then, if he can win, have a day off and recover. He’s struggling to concentrate, though, and given Hossein Vafaei noted bouncy cushions and a table that makes big breaks hard, this might be attritional.

He’s been in tremendous form recently, winning three consecutive pots before taking a surprise hiding off defending champ Mark Allen in the final. He talks a lot about his desire to win every competition, but in his heart of hearts he knows he needs more majors: one of each is no reflection of his unique brilliance. I fancy him this week.

Now then! it’s been a terrific start to the last of this year’s triple crown events, and there’s no indication today will be any different. We begin with Judd Trump (4) v Pang Junxu (23) – that’ll be our focus first up, though we’ll be updating you on Barry Hawkins (12) v Ben Woollaston (51). Then, this evening, it’s Mark Selby (5) v Mark Joyce (62) and Jack Lisowski (13) v Jamie Jones (45). Decent!

Luca Brecel beat Yuan Sijun 6-4 in the opening round of the UK Championship at the Barbican Centre in York, as Shaun Murphy and Ali Carter were both eliminated.

Brecel will next face Zhang Anda, who beat Elliot Slessor in the first round. While Hossein Vafaei – who beat Murphy – and Matthew Selt – conqueror of Carter – face off in last-16 action later in the week.