“IF I can play anywhere near my best, it’s going to be tough for anyone to compete against me.”

So said former world number one Judd Trump ahead of this afternoon’s last 16 clash against Jamie Jones (1pm) at the Mr Q UK Snooker Championship at the York Barbican.

Trump scored century breaks of 114 and 124 en route to a clinical 6-1 victory over Chinese youngster Pang Junxu.

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Having reached five finals and won three events already this season, Trump is in red-hot form as he bids for a first UK Championship title since 2011.

“I feel like I’m somewhere near my best at the moment,” said Trump. “My performances are getting more and more consistent. 

“When you reach finals and the latter stages of tournaments, it does fill you with confidence.

“I’m feeling match-sharp, having played a lot of tournaments against some top players recently.

“If I can play anywhere near my best, it’s going to be tough for anyone to compete against me. It’s just about me keeping on turning up and playing decent in every single match.

“It’s not always easy to do that on the big stage. This is the tournament where I’ve either gone out early or done really well. 

“The next game is going to be a big one for me.

“Jamie Jones is a great player and someone that I grew up playing against a lot. 

“He’s someone that I thought may have kicked on a little bit more, having got to the quarter-finals of the World Championship a few years ago. It looks like he’s finding his feet again.”

York Press: Trump hit two century breaks in his opening round victory.Trump hit two century breaks in his opening round victory. (Image: Mike Egerton/PA)

Trump had to overcome illness as well as Junxu to reach the final 16, having seen his practice diminished by a bout of flu.

“I’ve been feeling rough and I’ve not been able to play much,” revealed the 2019 world champion. “I’ve been achy, sweaty and not feeling good at all.

“I’m someone that always likes to put in the work before a big tournament, which I’ve not been able to do.”

“I tried to give it my absolute best and really will myself through the first round. 

“Hopefully I’m over the worst of it now.”

Trump faces qualifier Jamie Jones in the last 16, following the Welshman’s 6-4 victory over last year’s UK Championship semi-finalist Jack Lisowski.

World number 45 Jones came from 2-0 down to topple Lisowski, with century breaks of 101 and 113 in frames three and five the highlights of an impressive upset.

Elsewhere in the final 16, four-time world champion and twice UK Championship winner Mark Selby faces ex-world number four Barry Hawkins tonight (7pm).

Selby produced arguably the finest display of the round of 32, whitewashing two-time UK Championship quarter-finalist Mark Joyce 6-0, posting a high break of 82 in frame two.

Hawkins held off world number 51 Woollaston to run out as a 6-4 winner, having trailed 3-1 at the mid-session interval.

Meanwhile, thrice UK champion Ding Junhui takes on twice semi-finalist Tom Ford in a repeat of last year’s final four encounter (1pm) while three-time world champion Mark Williams meets the lowest ranked remaining player and fellow Welshman Jamie Clarke (7pm).

Tomorrow world champion Luca Brecel faces reigning International Championship winner Zhang Anda, whilst qualifiers Hossein Vafaei and Matthew Selt will also go head to head for a place in the quarter-finals.