Judd Trump plays shot of ‘sublime inspiration’ at Welsh Open – how did he do this?!

Published 03/03/2022 at 08:13 GMT

We are fast running out of superlatives for Judd Trump after he dropped another beauty at the Welsh Open. Locked in a crucial battle with Si Jiahui, leading 3-2 in the best-of-seven, the 32-year-old could not resist attempting a Trump special. While he did not get the result he hoped, it set the table for a near-impossible safety – one that helped him wrap up the frame.

‘Sublime inspiration’ – Trump shows mastery of cue ball with sensational shot

Judd Trump once again proved he is snooker’s greatest puppeteer with an outrageous shot during his Welsh Open victory over Si Jiahui.

Usually the Juddernaut saves his party pieces for when the frames are already in the bag. Not this time.

Leading 3-2 and 54-46 in the sixth frame, with plenty left on the table, the 2019 world champion lined up the black at the bottom of the table, knowing the next ball – the yellow – was tied up on the opposite cushion.

Welsh Open

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Undeterred, Trump not only fizzed home the black, but somehow guided the cue ball around the pink, up the table and into the yellow.

“Oh look at that for a shot,” cried Joe Johnson on Eurosport commentary.

To his and Johnson’s dismay, the yellow painfully drifted from the top cushion to the side cushion. It was a cruel piece of luck.

“If he can’t pot it he’s so unfortunate. What a shot that was, bending round the pink. Wonderful shot.”

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With the yellow out of action despite his heroics, Trump played a smart safety that left amateur Si in all sorts of bother.

“A moment of sublime inspiration from Judd Trump,” added Phillip Studd on Eurosport commentary. “Magnificent attempt to get onto the yellow, dislodging it, but playing a very tough snooker nonetheless.”

After missing with his first attempt, Si managed to pull off a remarkable escape act by coming off three cushions to clip the yellow.

But it was Trump who deserved the frame after his creative genius – and he soon secured it, grabbing the match in the process 4-2.

Trump will face Jimmy Robertson in the fourth round on Thursday.

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Stream the Welsh Open and other top snooker live and on-demand on discovery+. You can also watch all the action live on eurosport.co.uk.

Welsh Open