Judd Trump gives candid verdict after escaping defeat to 'very poor' Liu Hongyu at English Open - ‘I didn’t really care'
Published 16/09/2024 at 19:26 GMT
Judd Trump, the newly-crowned Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters champion, said he "wasn't that bothered" about what was happening on the table during his English Open opener until there was a threat of elimination. Trump clinched a win in the deciding frame against Liu Hongyu. “I was in the kind of mood where I didn’t really care what was happening out there," the world No. 1 told Eurosport on Monday.
Trump reflects on ‘tricky game’ against Liu after coming through final-frame decider
Judd Trump admitted he “didn’t really care” what was happening on the table as he overcame Liu Hongyu at the English Open on Monday.
The defending champion kicked off his campaign with a 4-3 win to move into the last 32, narrowly advancing over the 20-year-old after squandering a two-frame lead.
After Trump failed an attempt at 147 while 3-1 up, Hongyu worked his way into the match to level the score as things began to unravel for the world No. 1 with his crown under threat.
“Sometimes when you’re out there … to be honest, I wasn’t that bothered to win or lose. Normally, I probably try and get the frame won there,” Trump told Eurosport’s Alan McManus while watching back his 147 attempt.
“I was in the kind of mood where I didn’t really care what was happening out there. Until it went back to 3-3, then obviously you’re trying your best not to lose and my standard kind of went up again.
“The black was on line and I was going from the 147 from the start, but ended up leaving it just a little bit short.”
‘What a winner of a shot’ – Trump nails long red to seal hard-fought victory over Liu
Trump also explained that the poor quality start to the encounter put him off his stride, as he looked to back up his inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters title with a win in the tournament opener.
“I struggled,” he said. “I expected a tough game from the start, and he wasn’t very good, to be honest, at the start; he was very poor.
“I kind of just lost my concentration a little bit and I think I tried to gee myself up going for that 147 and in the end, it didn’t happen.
“He raised the standards, and it probably helped me in the last frame.”
Last week, Trump beat Mark Williams 10-9 in a thrilling Saudi Masters final, coming from 62 points behind in the final frame to deliver a pinpoint 72-point break to seal victory.
“That’s so tough,” Trump said when asked where that dramatic clearance ranked in his career, which helped him seal a 29th ranking title.
“I think there was also one against Shaun Murphy in the Champion of Champions, but I think in terms of what was on the line, the pressure, the money ... I think that would go to number one.”
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