BASILDON'S Stuart Bingham holds a 5-3 lead over former world number one Judd Trump after the first session of the World Snooker Championship semi-final at the Crucible.
Fresh from his crushing victory over Ding Junhui, Trump built a quick 2-1 lead with frames that featured runs of 49 and 64 but he appeared to lose focus when Bingham levelled up thanks to an 89 break.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's quarter-final conqueror then took a two-frame lead with Trump wasting several opportunities to establish himself back at the table and, despite the Bristol potter nicking a frame back, Bingham made it 5-3.
One day after dispatching O'Sullivan 13-9 in Sheffield, Bingham surrendered the first frame to Trump, whose classy brown to black clearance appeared to be a bad omen for the Basildon player.
He was not perturbed when Trump built a 64-point lead in the second frame, though, as he gladly recovered to draw level with a run of 65.
A scruffy frame went Trump's way before Bingham's attempt at a 147 failed when he missed the black while on 89.
Rushed shots from the Bristolian proved costly as Bingham took the fifth and sixth frames respectively, yet Trump rediscovered his nerve to take the seventh.
He would not pot another ball on Thursday night, however, as Bingham wrapped up the final frame.
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