Judd Trump’s Shanghai Masters Thriller
A Nail-Biting Victory
Judd Trump secured a place in the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals with a heart-pounding 6-5 win over Jack Lisowski on a dramatic Tuesday.
Trump’s Strong Start
Trump, a three-time former runner-up in the tournament, appeared to be cruising toward victory when he built a commanding 5-2 lead, backed by impressive breaks of 81, 69, and 66.
Lisowski’s Fightback
However, Lisowski mounted a fierce comeback, pocketing crucial runs of 77 and 68, narrowing the deficit to just one frame. The tension intensified as Lisowski clinched a tight tenth frame, forcing the match into a decider.
The Decisive Moment
In a nail-biting final frame, it seemed as if the 32-year-old Trump was on the brink of securing his second 6-5 triumph of the week. However, a missed pink gave Lisowski an opening, only for Trump to make a gritty clearance of 74 under immense pressure.
Trump Reflects
Speaking to the World Snooker Tour after the match, Trump admitted, “I thought I’d blown it when I missed the yellow in the last frame. I was just overthinking things, I potted a good red to get in. I took a little bit too long.”
A Flight Home Averted
He continued, “He was potting some really good balls, he got in a great position. He had that one tricky shot left, and I thought it was game over. He was looking good from 5-2 down, so yeah, I was already thinking about the flight home.”
Professionalism Prevails
Trump reflected on the significance of remaining professional despite his friendship with Lisowski. “It’s difficult; we haven’t played each other for a while, so it was always going to be tough. I was half-hoping he’d lose in the first round and half-hoping he’d win. In the end, it turned out to be a great game.”
Winning Mentality
Trump stressed the importance of separating personal relationships from the competitive environment, saying, “If you watch the best players, they are super friendly off the table, but when they are on the table, they forget they know you. That’s the way you’ve got to be, so I think that’s the importance of maybe making those big clearances – not thinking of anything else other than trying your absolute best to win.”
The Road Ahead
In the upcoming round, Judd Trump will face the winner of the clash between Hossein Vafaei and Mark Selby, players he has skillfully avoided in recent draws.
Trump’s Take
With a touch of humor, Trump remarked, “I mean I haven’t played Mark Selby… whenever we’re due to meet, one of us loses. We never, ever meet. His record against Hossein isn’t great either, I don’t think, but he’s a different player from maybe the last two or three years. Especially the last season, he’s looked completely different. I think he’s due – I’d be surprised if he lost, but Hossein is an amazing player too. Anyone in this tournament is a great player. That’s why you see such close games, and whoever it is, it’s going to be tough.”
Other Highlights
In other matches, John Higgins secured a spot in the last eight with an impressive 6-3 victory over Kyren Wilson. Meanwhile, Mark Williams and Robert Milkins delivered dominant performances against Pang Junxu and Bai Yulu, respectively.
Shanghai Masters Upcoming Matches
(Best of 11 Frames)
Last 16
- Ronnie O’Sullivan (1) vs. John Higgins (10) – Thursday, 7 am
- Mark Selby (5) vs. Judd Trump (4) – Thursday, 7 am
- Mark Allen (3) vs. Fan Zhengyi – Wednesday, 7 am
- Neil Robertson (6) vs. Ding Junhui (15) – Wednesday, 12:30 pm
- Shaun Murphy (7) vs. Robert Milkins (12) – Wednesday, 12:30 pm
- Luca Brecel (2) vs. Mark Williams (9) – Wednesday, 7 pm
Quarter-Finals
- Ronnie O’Sullivan (1) vs. John Higgins (10) – Thursday, 7 am
- Mark Selby (5) vs. Judd Trump (4) – Thursday, 7 am
- Allen/Fan vs. Robertson/Ding – Thursday, 12:30 pm
- Murphy/Milkins vs. Brecel/Williams – Thursday, 12:30 pm
Stay tuned for more thrilling snooker action in the Shanghai Masters!
