World Champion Judd Trump will carry a 6-3 advantage into the evening session of the International Championship final against Shaun Murphy in Daqing.

The pair are fighting it out for a £175,000 top prize and will play the best of 19 encounters to a conclusion in this evening’s session.

Trump is making his first appearance on the circuit since winning a maiden Crucible title back in May. He’s already picked up a significant accolade this week, having secured a return to the world number one spot for the first time since March 2013, deposing Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The Ace in the Pack came flying out of the traps this afternoon. Breaks of 58, 104 and 58 helped him to assume a 5-0 lead.

However, 2005 World Champion Murphy provided strong resistance in the second half of the session to keep his chances alive. He got his first frame on the board with a break of 87. The Magician then claimed a tight seventh frame to reduce his arrears to 5-2.

A break of 74 helped Trump to regain a four-frame advantage. However, Murphy responded well with a contribution of 79 to end the session three behind at 6-3.