Washington: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton yesterday surged ahead in the 2016 US presidential polls by posting emphatic wins in the crucial ‘Super Tuesday’ primaries as an epic face-off between the two front-runners seemed likely after the biggest day of the race for nominations.

Coming within striking distance of becoming the Republican nominee, Trump, notched up victories in seven states — Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia. Trump (69) emerged from the contests closer than ever to the nomination.