Northern Ireland Open 2023 snooker final recap - Judd Trump wins fourth NI Open and third straight ranking event
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Updated 29/10/2023 at 20:29 GMT
Judd Trump has made history beating Chris Wakelin in the final 9-3 to win a record-equalling third-straight ranking event title and a remarkable 20 consecutive victories. It is also the third time he has won the Alex Higgins Trophy. He did it in style making centuries in three of the last four frames.
‘It’s an incredible shot’ - White attempts Trump’s 'stonker’ of a pot
2030 - THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THE ACTION WITH US...
What a week of snooker it has been and so fitting we ended with the best individual performance of the week from the history-maker. All eyes will be on the International Championship in eight days time to see if Trump can become the first player to win four-straight ranking events.
WATCH AGAIN TRUMP'S SECOND CENTURY OF THE EVENING...
Which he ended with two exhibition shots...
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‘It feels like the exhibition has started’ - Trump pots pink off seven cushions
2018: TRUMP: "TO WIN A TITLE FOUR TIMES IS UNBELIEVABLE"
"It's one of my favourite places to come and it always spurs me on when I come here," Trump told Eurosport.
"I didn't start off flying but the last couple of matches and the last six or seven frames I felt very good out there. I can't think of what to say when I win it's happening too often!
"This tournament five years ago was the start of the improvement I've had. Every time I come here I play in front of this crowd which is so special and it spurs me on for the rest of the season. To win a title four times is unbelievable.
"Chris has had a brilliant week, he's improved dramatically over the last 12 months and I'm sure he'll be back."
2010: WAKELIN: "IT'S BEEN A MAGICAL WEEK"
"Winning the shoot out was magical, but to get a the final in front of a crowd like this," Wakelin told Eurosport. This arena is like nothing I've ever experienced in my life. If I could pick someone to play in a final like this it would be Judd. I know that one day I have to beat him. I think he's paid his mortgage off beating me over the years.
Twelve months ago I had not won a month for three or four months. The shootout was the jewel in the crown but the last 12 months has been truly phenomenal."
TRUMP 9-3 WAKELIN: TRUMP WINS WITH THREE CENTURIES IN FOUR FRAMES
On this occasion a 129-break, Wakelin applauded from his seat as Trump reached three figures. Truly stupendous snooker. And fitting that it sees him win his third straight tournament and pick up the Alex Higgins Trophy for the fourth time.
TRUMP 8-3 WAKELIN (5*-0): TRUMP NAILS ANOTHER LONG POT
Will he end the match in this visit?
1949 - WATCH TRUMP'S FIRST CENTURY OF THE EVENING...
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‘Wow, what a shot’ - Trump opens the evening session of the Northern Ireland Open final with a ton
TRUMP 8-3 WAKELIN: ONE MORE TO TAKE IT TO THE INTERVAL
Credit to Wakelin, he showed a lot of character there.
TRUMP 8-2 WAKELIN (31-67): TRUMP NEEDING A SNOOKER
It appears the crowd will get their wish for the match to go on.
TRUMP 8-2 WAKELIN (31-52): VERY GOOD HALF CENTURY
And Trump missed the ensuing long pot. It was a very difficult one but such is the standard the crowd have been watching they gasped.
TRUMP 8-2 WAKELIN (31-8*): WAKELIN ALIVE!
For now, he was left a long pot by Trump and now has an opportunity.
TRUMP 8-2 WAKELIN (31-0): MAYBE A LAST REPRIEVE
Trump falls out of position, but Wakelin is now on the baulk cushion with a difficult safety in front of him.
TRUMP 8-2 WAKELIN (19*-0): ANOTHER LONG POT STARTS ANOTHER RUN
We could be moments away from the end.
TRUMP 8-2 WAKELIN: SECOND STRAIGHT HUNDRED PUTS TRUMP ONE AWAY
This time a break of 125 with exhibition pink and blacks that even had his opponent laughing. It is fitting for someone to make history to be playing at this incredible standard.
‘It feels like the exhibition has started’ - Trump pots pink off seven cushions
TRUMP 7-2 WAKELIN (51*-6): LONG POT PUT TRUMP BACK IN COMMAND
He has missed some shots amongst the balls but his long pots are automatic. He looks certain to win the frame now.
TRUMP 7-2 WAKELIN (6-6): BOTH PLAYERS MISS SIMPLE REDS
First Wakelin missed a straightforward one into the bottom left pocket which you feared was the beginning of the end, but then Trump missed one to the same pocket.
TRUMP 7-2 WAKELIN: TRUMP NOTCHES FIRST TON IN FINAL
A superb break of including a tough, stretching right handed shot, then following brown into middle from the baulk top cushion and a red crawling halfway down the side cushion between middle and bottom right pocket.
TRUMP 6-2 WAKELIN (9*-0): MISSED LONG POT GIVES TRUMP FIRST CHANCE
Wakelin committed to the pot but the red bounced in the jaws an stayed out. Trump has enhanced the error by potting a superb long red to maintain the break.
1857 - THE FIRST FRAME CRUCIAL...
It is often said, but surely true in this instance that if Wakelin is to stay in with a realistic chance of winning the Alex Higgins Trophy, you have to think he must win the first frame - and then at least one of the next two as well.
1850 - TRUMP CLOSE TO HISTORY
Only Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ding Junhui have won three straight ranking titles. Trump is three frames away from joining these players.
1845 - WELCOME BACK TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN FINAL
Thanks for following our coverage of the final which currently sees Judd Trump leading Chris Wakelin 6-2.
HOW TO WATCH THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN 2023?
In the UK and the rest of Europe, you can watch all the action live on Eurosport and discovery+.
O'SULLIVAN BELIEVES TRUMP WON'T STOP AT NI OPEN
1600 - JOIN US AGAIN AT 1845
We will see in the evening session if Wakelin can stop Trump winning his third straight event.
TRUMP 6-2 WAKELIN: TRUMP JUST SHORT OF FIRST CENTURY IN FINAL
A composed break of 96 has Trump well in command at the end of the afternoon session.
TRUMP 5-2 WAKELIN (23*-0): RISKY RED TO COST WAKELIN
It was not far away rattling both jaws but now Trump has a second chance amongst the reds.
TRUMP 5-2 WAKELIN (8*-0): ANOTHER FRAME, ANOTHER SUBLIME OPENING RED
And naturally he is in position for the black.
TRUMP 5-2 WAKELIN: WAKELIN LEFT TO RUE MISSED POTS
Trump ruthlessly clears up with a break of 6. Wakelin really needs the last frame of the session.
TRUMP 4-2 WAKELIN (5-53): TRUMP AND WAKELIN BOTH MISS EASY POTS
You can feel the nerves in the arena.
TRUMP 4-2 WAKELIN (0-53): WAKELIN LOSES POSITION, BUT ESTABLISHES KEY LEAD
He leaves Trump with the ball on the baulk cushion.
TRUMP 4-2 WAKELIN (0-7*): TRUMP ERROR GIVES WAKELIN CHANCE
Trump leaves an easy red into the middle and, after a tricky pink, Wakelin now has a chance to capitalise.
TRUMP 4-2 WAKELIN: CENTURY ELUDES TRUMP
But a fantastic break of 97 sends a danger sign to his opponent. He will not want to end the session 6-2 down.
TRUMP 3-2 WAKELIN (1*-0): KISS ON YELLOW SETS UP TRUMP
And he is amongst the balls again, Wakelin cannot keep giving Trump these chances.
TRUMP 3-2 WAKELIN: TRUMP PUTS FRAME BEYOND DOUBT
Still not at his best, but he adds another mini-break is enough to seal the frame and give himself the lead for the first time since the opening frame.
TRUMP 2-2 WAKELIN (48-8): AGAIN TRUMP ENDS BREAK AROUND HALF-TON MARK
He has made 47, 51 and now 48 but on each occasion not doing enough to win the frame in the visit. Fortunately for him, Wakelin was unlucky with his own positioning in response.
TRUMP 2-2 WAKELIN (8-0): YOU CAN'T GET JUDD GET HIS HAND ON THE TABLE...
It was a difficult pot and the position even more so, but Trump got both and now has a fine chance.
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'Real confidence booster' - Trump sinks stunning long red against Wakelin
TRUMP 2-2 WAKELIN: BACK ON THE BAIZE...
TRUMP 2-2 WAKELIN: LEVEL AT THE INTERVAL
A very competitive final as we hoped. This half-session will certain have given Chris Wakelin confidence.
TRUMP 1-2 WAKELIN (63-15): WAKELIN NEEDING SNOOKERS
Trump began with a break of 47 in winning the first frame and ends the session with a 51 which is likely to win him the frame.
TRUMP 1-2 WAKELIN (13*-15): WAKELIN MISSES GOOD CHANCE
He was on top of a safety battle forcing a mistake from Trump but he missed the ensuing pot and now Trump in on the table.
TRUMP 1-2 WAKELIN (11-0): WAKELIN HAS CAUGHT BLUE ON BOTH BREAKS
It allowed Trump on the table, but once more he misses a black off the spot.
TRUMP 1-2 WAKELIN
A superb break of 87 puts Wakelin in front. He missed a black looking for position which denied him a century.
TRUMP 1-1 WAKELIN (0-5*): TRUMP GOES IN-OFF INTO TOP LEFT POCKET WITH SAFETY
And he gifts Wakelin the first chance in the third frame.
TRUMP 1-1 WAKELIN
Wakelin pots a long green to seal the frame and banish fears he could be set for another thumping from Judd who has won all 11 contests they have played - and most were not close.
TRUMP 1-0 WAKELIN (28-54): TRUMP NEEDING A SNOOKER
Wakelin potted a good yellow but couldn't bag a follow-up green to make the frame safer.
TRUMP 1-0 WAKELIN (27-52): BREAK OF 38 GIVES WAKELIN LEAD
He ran out of position on the last colour again and this time plays a safety.
TRUMP 1-0 WAKEIN (27-15*): BOTH HAD CHANCES, BOTH LEFT POINTS ON TABLE
Wakelin has another one now after a good pot with the rest.
TRUMP 1-0 WAKELIN (19-0*): TRUMP MISSES REGULATION BLACK OFF THE SPOT
Another chance for Wakelin, can he take advantage?
TRUMP 1-0 WAKELIN (5*-0): POOR SAFETY GIVES TRUMP OPENING
Wakelin caught the cue ball in the jaws of the black pocket and it stayed near the black pocket opening a good chance for a break.
TRUMP 1-0 WAKELIN: TRUMP TAKES EARLY LEAD
Trump cleared down to pink with a superb green to brown positional shot the key pot.
TRUMP 0-0 WAKELIN (55-43): AFTER A FANTASTIC BREAK...
Including two reds on the cushion, Wakelin missed the black after the final red and Trump just needs the baulk colours now.
TRUMP 0-0 WAKELIN (55-1): WAKELIN IS ON THE BOARD
He pots an excellent red into the middle pocket and now the table looks open for a clearance.
TRUMP 0-0 WAKELIN (47-0): TRUMP RUNS OUT OF POSITION
And rather than take a risky red on he plays a safety.
TRUMP 0-0 WAKELIN (7-0):TRUMP ENDS FIRST SAFETY EXCHANGE
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Watch: Trump knocks in superb long red at start of quest for third-straight title
It wasn't much of an opening, but it was enough as he notched a long pot and had position on the pink.
1255 - CONTRASTING ROUTE TO FINAL
Wakelin destroyed Jack Lisowski 6-1 in his semi, while Trump came back from 4-1 down to beat Barry Hawkins 6-4.
1245 - HELLO AND WELCOME...
Thanks for joining our coverage of the Northern Ireland Open final where Judd Trump is looking to win his third straight tournament, and lift the Alex Higgins trophy for the fourth time, while Chris Wakelin hopes to win his first ranking multi-frame tournament.
Catch up on all yesterday's action here.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN 2023?
The Northern Ireland Open will be held at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from October 22 to October 29.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT AT THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN 2023?
All matches are best-of-seven until the quarter-finals, which are the best-of-nine frames.
The semi-finals are best-of-11 frames, with the final a two-session, best-of-17 affair.
HOW TO WATCH THE NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN 2023?
In the UK and the rest of Europe, you can watch all the action live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Eurosport.com is the destination for daily live blogs, reports, reaction and news.
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