Trump goes international in China

Judd Trump beat Neil Robertson 10-8 to become the first ever champion of the International Championship in China’s Chengdu this week.

After losing 10-9 (although previously being 7-2 up) to John Higgins in the Shanghai Masters final just a few months ago, Trump stood his ground against Neil “The Thunder from Down Under” Robertson – and although the final wasn’t an easy task, he managed to overcome the nerves and the pressure.

Taking down Fergal O’Brien 6-3, Aditya Mehta 6-0, Mark Allen 6-5 and setting on a brilliant 9-1 the meeting with Peter Ebdon in the semi-finals, Trump not only succeeded to reach the final of what is now the most prestigious and important ranking snooker event held in China, but he also succeeded to climb at the top of the ranking system, becoming the new world number one.

Still, the 23-year-old player from Bristol wished to add the International Championship trophy to this wonderful achievement, and so with just two runs of 61 and 46 started the final battle.

Robertson, on the other hand, had always craved for winning an event in China, so his response came immediately under the form of breaks like 77, 68, 59 and 51 for a 4-2 lead.

The first session ended on a more balanced note, but with the Australian player still in charge of the situation at 5-4.

As referee Leo Scullion announced the start of the second and last session, Trump stormed in and not only did he level up the match, but he also secured himself a slight 6-5 advantage.

The “Thunder from Down Under”’s force unleashed itself during the next three frames, which he won by striking in runs of 68, 88 and 73, to go just two steps away from the finish line, 8-6.

Nicknamed “The Ace in the Pack”, Trump had just what he needed; he had one more ace to play and he played it with eager and ambition. His breaks of 96, 119, 39 and 33 sealed a well-deserved and hard-fought victory of 10-8.

So after seven days of cue-crossings, Judd Trump is not just leaving with a check of £125,000, but also knowing that he’s the tenth player in snooker’s history to become world number one.

Ramona Dragomir