Judd Trump produced a brilliant comeback to beat Zhang Anda 9-7 in the final of the English Open, remarkably changing the tip on his cue after the first session of the match in Brentwood.
The former world champion found himself 7-3 behind against Zhang, who was competing in his first ever ranking event final at 31 years old.
Trump had been open about tip trouble earlier in the week, saying: ‘My tip is terrible. Just trying to get this event out of the way if I can, I might have to re-tip it in this event, but it’s not ideal.’
Finding himself 5-3 down following the afternoon session, the Englishman opted for the change and, despite Zhang winning the next two frames, it eventually paid off as Trump reeled off six on the spin to lift the trophy.
‘I was struggling with my tip and I lost two of the frames in the first session because of that,’ he said. ‘After the session I decided to change it and (tournament director) Paul Collier put on a great new tip.
‘I stayed at the venue from 4pm to 7pm just practising with the new tip, I didn’t go back to the hotel at all. I feel rewarded now because I could have just decided it wasn’t my day, or not played with the new tip. I have never had to do that during a match before.’
Zhang looked set for a surprise first ranking title when he built a substantial lead in the final and Trump was thoroughly impressed with the man who beat Ronnie O’Sullivan on his way to the showpiece.
‘Zhang played well until 7-3 and put me under a lot of pressure, it was only when he missed a couple that I started to turn it round,’ said Trump.
‘After he beat Ronnie I knew he was comfortable to get over the line against anyone. He looked at home, I was just hoping that something drastic was going to happen because he was looking like the best player in the tournament.
‘I had to stay patient and dig in because losing in a final is not a nice experience when you have to watch your opponent pick up a trophy.’
Mighty Mouse had never been to a semi-final before his week in Essex, so to reach the final and push Trump nearly all the way was still an excellent result for him, he was just caught by the ‘monster’ of a comeback from the Ace.
‘When I was 7-3 up I missed a blue in the middle pocket and Judd came back like a monster,’ said Zhang.
‘I’m still really happy with this week for myself.’
Trump takes his ranking title tally to 24 with his win in Essex, putting him clear in sixth on the all-time list, which is led by Ronnie O’Sullivan on 39.
Stephen Hendry (36), John Higgins (31), Steve Davis (28) and Mark Williams (25) are the only other players ahead of Trump in ranking event wins.
The 34-year-old heads straight to China to play in the Wuhan Open and try to win a 25th title this week.
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan backs dissenting players in stand-off with World Snooker Tour
MORE : John Higgins and Judd Trump expect another classic in their dramatic rivalry
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