UNSTOPPABLE TRUMP IS A MASTER AT LAST

JUDD TRUMP put Ronnie O’Sullivan to the sword to claim a first Masters title in thrilling style last night. The Juddernaut emphatically beat seven-time champion O’Sullivan 10-4 to pocket the £200,000 first prize and lift the Paul Hunter Trophy at Alexandra Palace. It was an emotional triumph for world No 5 Trump and his first major win since he burst on to the scene by landing the 2011 UK Championship. ‘I have waited a long time for this,’ said Trump after inflicting O’Sullivan’s heaviest defeat in a Triple Crown event. ‘It has been eight years since I last won a big one. This is like my local tournament, I only live 20 minutes away and it is a dream come true.’ Gracious in defeat, O’Sullivan said: ‘I want to congratulate Judd, he played fantastically.’ Trump, 29, has for so long struggled to live up to his billing as O’Sullivan’s heir apparent. The sceptics asked: is raw talent enough? In this same arena 12 months ago, he was desolate after tossing away a big lead to lose a semi-final to Kyren Wilson. But up against five-time world champion O’Sullivan, who remains Trump’s benchmark for success, the left-hander added steel and nous to his flair and flamboyance. O’Sullivan was looking to add to his record of seven Masters crowns and 19 Triple Crown wins but the first-session deficit of 7-1 was way too big to claw back. This was one of the bloodiest noses O’Sullivan has been given in a final as the apprentice upstaged the sorcerer. ‘Seven-one down against him was nigh-on impossible,’ said O’Sullivan. ‘I tried to have a go but it just wasn’t enough. Judd deserved his victory.’ For Trump this glorious night could kickstart a second phase of his career. The opening session surely exceeded even his wildest dreams. Breaks of 89 and 87 put him 2-0 up and, when O’Sullivan missed an easy red, he had scored a total of only eight points in the first three frames. After the afternoon session, Trump stood 7-1 up and only a total collapse or some O’Sullivan genius could deny him. The Rocket won three of the first five frames in the evening but at 9-4 Trump finished him off. ‘Ronnie looked sharp tonight,’ he said. ‘I had to be at my best to get to 3-3 in the session. ‘If I had been at any less than my best, he would have got back at me. ‘My brother Jack gave up his Triumph: Trump GETTY IMAGES job to help me on tour this season. It has been amazing to have him with me, making me practise. ‘With my mum and dad, it makes for a family success.’