English Open 2023: Judd Trump praises brother Jack after comeback win over Zhang Anda to take title

Updated 09/10/2023 at 09:44 GMT

Judd Trump was on the ropes at 5-1 and 7-3 down to Zhang Anda in the final of the English Open at the Brentwood Centre in Essex. With a new tip on his cue, he looked set to come off second best to the first-time finalist, but Trump produced superb snooker to reel off six frames on the spin and claim the Steve Davis Trophy for the second time in his career.

Trump seals comeback win over Zhang to clinch English Open

Judd Trump has heaped praise on his brother Jack after producing a stunning comeback to win the English Open title.

Trump was on the ropes when trailing 5-1 and 7-3 to Zhang Anda - and even changed his tip after the first session.

Zhang looked strong, but Trump kept battling for his best form and the match turned his way after his opponent missed a blue to the middle in the 11th frame.

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From 7-3 behind, Trump ran through six frames on the spin to secure the Steve Davis Trophy for a second time.

Trump’s brother is his travelling partner, sounding board and confidant.

The 2019 world champion revealed his brother’s words of support helped him over the line from a seemingly hopeless position against John Higgins in the semi-finals, and it was a similar story against Zhang.

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“It is just having someone there just to chat and moan to, and someone who is going to listen,” Trump told Eurosport. “He will always be honest with me, he knows what is best.

“Against John, I managed to turn it around and he still stayed positive today.

“He told me that he (Zhang) has never won before, and if he gets near the winning line under pressure he might miss a few and that’s what happened.”

Trump admitted that when Zhang was dominating the table he was writing his runner-up speech.

“He played so well, at 7-3 I was in a bit of a resignation,” he said. I kind of not gave up, but I was happy he was winning it than me throwing it away."

Reflecting on the change of tip, Trump said: “I knew it was going to be tricky putting a new tip on. In the first couple of frames I was hitting the balls a little bit thick and he was not giving me any time to get used to it.

"I have no idea how I turned it around. At the end of one or two frames I was trying to play an extra shot just to figure out the throw of the white and in the end I managed to find my rhythm.”

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The win was Trump’s first ranking title since the Turkish Masters in March of 2022.

He admitted securing the title meant a lot, more so than when he was winning them for fun three years ago.

"I am buzzing,” he said. “Two or three years ago it would not have meant that much, but having a mini-drought and not winning as often, it is a nicer feeling.

“The longer you have to wait, the more you appreciate it. I have not been blowing everyone away like maybe I was two or three years ago.”

Trump was pleased with the way he battled to victory, as it adds a new string to his bow.

“The last two games I have had to dig in and find something,” he said. “It is just a different manner of winning and it is finding the inspiration from people like Mark Selby.

“It is about when not at my best to give myself that one extra opportunity, that one extra frame, to try and turn it around.”