TOP TRUMP!
Judd ends long wait to net first world title
At long last the monkey is off Judd trump’s back. the 29- year- old produced a scintillating display to beat John Higgins 18-9 and end his wait for a maiden world title in a record-breaking Crucible showpiece.
this has been trump’s destiny since his lorry driver dad, Steve, put a miniature table in his four-year-old son’s bedroom.
trump surged through the junior ranks and in 2007 became the youngest player since Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan to play in the World Championship.
It looked like the dawn of a new era when he made the final in 2011. But Higgins showed the 21- year- old that crash, bang, wallop is not enough to win this 17- day marathon, coming from 10-7 down to win his fourth title.
It has taken eight years, but trump avenged that defeat in emphatic style last night.
He held a 12-5 overnight advantage courtesy of a stunning eightframe blitz on Sunday night and there was no way back for Higgins this time. trump is the complete player now.
‘It’s a dream come true,’ said trump. ‘It will take a while to sink in. that’s the best I’ve ever played in a major final. John brought the best out of me. It will be hard to top that. Everything I went for seemed to go in.
‘It’s nice to get it out of the way. You don’t want to get to 40 or 45 having not won it, especially being as close as I was last time.
‘I threw it away a little bit with my age in 2011, so being in the same position this time I was over the moon to get over the line and I’m very pleased with how I played throughout the final.
‘My dad is the biggest snooker fan in the world. there have been some tough times and some bad losses, so the inspiration to win it for him is what got me through.’
Higgins fell at the final hurdle for the third year in succession, but the 43- year- old did little wrong and played his part in one of the greatest Sheffield finals.
trump was simply irresistible and is rewriting the record books. He reeled off seven of the 11 century breaks in the match — a new record for a professional contest and the joint-most by one player.
‘I came up against an unstoppable machine,’ said Higgins. ‘He blew me away, pure and simple. It was great to watch. this loss is not as tough to take as the previous two because there was nothing I could have done. He was just too good. It’s the first of many if he keeps like that.’
trump is hardly a late bloomer in snooker terms — the first 20- something to lift this trophy since Neil Robertson in 2010 — but given that early promise he is making up for lost time.
Having won the UK Championship in 2011, trump has added the Masters and World Championship this season, becoming the 11th player to complete the sport’s triple crown, and the first since Mark Williams in 2003 to win the latter two in the same campaign.
there have been victories in the Northern Ireland Open and World playing Grand Prix since November too. It has been a remarkable burst.
the reason? Step forward younger brother Jack, who quit his job last year to join Judd on tour and ensure seven hours of practice were completed every day.
‘the concentration was there that’s maybe not been there in the past and has only come out this season,’ added trump.
‘I’ve had to go away and rebuild my game. I felt confident and tried to play like I did in 2011 with a bit more safety. A big thanks to my brother who has been a massive help. I’ve been working harder than ever.’
trump moves up to world No 2 and pockets the £500,000 winner’s cheque to become the first player to win more than £1million in a single season.
Yesterday’s afternoon session was electric. Both players narrowly missed becoming the first to make a maximum break in a world final, but four centuries between them took the tournament total to 100 — the previous best was 86.
It was scant consolation for Higgins. the eight frames were shared, meaning he remained seven behind at 16-9 going into the evening’s finale.
trump took less than half an hour in the evening to get the two he needed for victory.
Higgins applauded while trump puffed his cheeks in relief. the boy has come of age.