World Open Snooker final LIVE RESULTS: Judd Trump BEATS Ding Junhui to claim back-to-back titles – reaction
JUDD TRUMP has beaten Ding Junhui 10-4 in the final of the World Open in Yushan.
The Brit has made it back-to-back triumphs at the tournament after winning the last event in 2019.
Trump has now equalled Steve Davis' tally of 28 ranking titles and has etched his name amongst snooker's all-time greats.
- Explainer: World Open snooker full results
BEST SNOOKER BETTING SITES: TOP BOOKIES FOR MARCH 2024
When is the Johnstone's Paint Tour Championship 2024?
The Johnstone's Paint Tour Championship 2024 will get underway on Monday, April 1.
It is scheduled to run for the week - concluding on Sunday, April 7.
Manchester Central is the chosen venue for this iconic tournament and it can host approximately 10,900 fans.
What is the Johnstone's Paint Tour Championship 2024 prize money?
A full breakdown of the prize money for this year's tournament is yet to be revealed.
But there will be a total of £500,000 in the pot.
This is £120,000 more than the full prize money pot in 2023 when Shaun Murphy took home a share of £150,000.
Ball to play for
Stars are gearing up for the return of the Johnstone's Paint Tour Championship - which means another payday is around the corner.
Shaun Murphy is the reigning champion after pipping Kyren Wilson to a 10-7 win during the 2023 final.
And as result, the English icon took home a winning share of £150,000.
However, Murphy will not be participating and even revealed last year that he considered quitting snooker after struggling with a loss of form, weight gain and mental health.
Meaning that there is set to be a new champion and someone else will be taking home a big bag of money.
Trump up to fourth in title list
Judd Trump’s success in China's World Open took him up to joint fourth in the all-time list of rankings titles.
He’s level with Steve Davis on 28 – Ronnie O’Sullivan being way clear on 41.
Trump could soon emerge out of Trump's shadow for rankings titlesCredit: Getty Images - Getty But Trump will be confident of overhauling John Higgins’ haul of 31 crowns pretty soon.
After that his sights will be on the 36 titles won by Stephen Hendry.
CAREER RANKINGS TITLES:
- Ronnie O’Sullivan 41
- Stephen Hendry 36
- John Higgins 31
- Judd Trump 28
- Steve Davis 28
- Mark Williams 25
- Neil Robertson 23
- Mark Selby 22
Juddernaut hails 'exciting' growth in China
Judd Trump says snooker's expansion in China is great for the sport - and one of the most thrilling parts of his World Open glory.
Ding Junhui's conqueror in Yunshan said: “It has been great to get back to China this season, I was excited to get back here.
"The crowds have been massive this week, snooker is growing and the fans here are very young.
"It’s really promising for our sport.
“I can relax and enjoy the rest of the season, it has been a dream season for me.
"I’m looking forward to the two events in Manchester coming up, to be playing in the centre of a major city will feel special.”
Judd says he no longer 'punishes' himself
Judd Trump revealed he has "learned not to punish myself" as he breezed to victory in China.
The World Open winner, 34, says experience has taught him to relax more while playing - and focus on opportunities not regrets.
Trump said: “As I have got older I have learned not to punish myself when I miss easy balls.
I see other players doing that. You are not trying to miss, so there’s no point punishing yourself.
"You have to forget about it, go back to your chair and wait for your next chance.
So much of snooker is in the head, if you can be in the right space mentally then you have a big advantage. I am a lot more consistent in that respect these days."
'Difficult' to improve on this!'
Judd Trump claims it will be difficult to improve on his "dream season" - as the world championship looms next month.
The Juddernaut, 34, scooped £170,000 for beating home favourite Ding Junhui 10-4 in the final of the World Open in Yushan, China,
Credit: Getty Trump's FIFTH ranking tournament victory since the first week of October is his second in the Far East.
And following last month’s lovely BetVictor Series bonus of £150,000, he has ticked over into seven figures in prize money in his bank account this campaign.
Less than a month out from the Crucible, the world No.2 is in his exceptional form and left poor Ding, 36, looking like a sorry, crestfallen figure in his chair during the trophy presentation.
One shot by Trump in particular – a powerfully-hit blue off its spot in the 10th frame – was described by commentators as “one of the great shots you’ll see all season”.
The world No.2 – who top-scored with a 130 break – said: “It’s going to be difficult to win more titles this season but I’ve put myself in an amazing position.
“I have been able to relax and enjoy this season.
“I have managed to keep ticking over, winning the German Masters last month and now this one. Also getting to a couple of finals. It’s been the dream season for me.”
Rocket promises to improve his 'condition'
Ronnie O’Sullivan has denied being "tired" but admits he will go away to improve his condition following his World Open woe.
The Rocket was a shock early loser against Hossein Vafaei in the last-16 in Yushan, China.
Credit: Getty O'Sullivan, 48, said: "I’m not tired, and I can’t use this as an excuse to lose.
"But in terms of performance, I can only give myself 3-4 points, but in terms of spirit, I can give myself full marks."
He added: "I feel that I have been playing the game very hard, but it is still very difficult and I did not show my best condition.
"I will do some things in the off-season to help improve my condition, including some exhibition games to increase my competitiveness and improve my performance under pressure.
"I may come to China, or some other places to play some exhibition games later."
Robbie joins Rocket & Co after dramatic triumph
Robbie McGuigan earned a two-year shot at snooker's big names with a dramatic in the EBSA European Snooker Championship.
The Northern Irishman, 19 beat 41-year-old English ex-pro player Craig Steadman 5-4 in the final in Sarajevo.
McGuigan nicked deciding-frame wins in his last five knockout-round matches.
The County Antrim then took the final two frames against Falmouth's Steadman.
It means McGuigan has picked up a two-year card on the professional World Snooker Tour - alongside icons like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump.
'Excited' fans want Ronnie vs Trump
Snooker fans are already dreaming of a Judd Trump vs Ronnie O'Sullivan final in the World Championship.
The sport's dominant forces have made history as it's the first time two players have both won £1million in the same season.
And after Trump's World Open glory today fans are cueing up to hope the English rivals meet in the Crucible finale over May 5-6.
One posted: "Would love to see Judd vs Ronnie world final."
Another said: "All eyes on both Ronnie and Judd for Tour and the World!"
A third wrote: "For sure! If we took a vote now I think well over half would pick one of those two."
And a fourth simply said: "Exciting!"
Judd & Rocket make history
Snooker fans won't be surprised by one seven-figure piece of history as Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan dominate the snooker season.
Trump's success today means he's won nearly £1.061million in 2023/24 - just behind O’Sullivan's £1.115.5m.
Credit: Rex Never before have two players scooped £1m in the same season.
Two lucrative tournaments remain - the Johnstone’s Paint Tour Championship and Cazoo World Championship.
Trump now level with Davis in all-time list
Judd Trump's success in China has taken him up to joint fourth in the all-time list of rankings titles.
He's level with Steve Davis on 28 - Ronnie O’Sullivan being way clear on 41.
But Trump will be confident of overhauling John Higgins' haul of 31 crowns pretty soon.
After that his sights will be on the 36 titles won by Stephen Hendry.
CAREER RANKINGS TITLES:
- Ronnie O’Sullivan 41
- Stephen Hendry 36
- John Higgins 31
- Judd Trump 28
- Steve Davis 28
- Mark Williams 25
- Neil Robertson 23
- Mark Selby 22
Trump worried about 'lonely' feeling
Judd Trump claims it was vital he took an early grip against Ding Junhui - to tame the Chinese star's home audience.
Trump eventually won the World Open final 10-4 for the 28th ranking title of his career.
But he admitted: “Especially if the crowd get behind him and he starts winning frames – you don’t want to be out there then.
“It can be a very lonely atmosphere if things start going his way.
"I knew it was important to finish off the job as soon as possible.”
Mixed Trump's
World Open winner Judd Trump’s next assignment is the World Mixed Doubles and Tour Championship - back-to-back at Manchester Central.
And then the Road to the Crucible begins – where he will be in a strong position in Sheffield to add to his 2019 maiden world title.
Trump said: “I seem to thrive in these sort of games. I remember playing Ronnie in a Masters final. There is something like this that sort of gets me going.
“No-one wants your opponent to have more support than you, but you have to use it to your advantage and use it as motivation.
“It’s been a great season for me in China. I’ve always had a good record here, even before Covid hit.
“I was excited to get back, the crowds are bigger than ever.
“You can see snooker is growing, the fans here are so young compared to the rest of the world and UK. It’s promising for snooker to have fans here so young.”
Judd passes £1m earnings in 'dream season'
Marvellous Judd Trump has banked more than £1million as he lifted a fifth trophy in this “dream season”.
The Juddernaut, 34, beat local hero Ding Junhui 10-4 in the final of the World Open in Yushan, China, for which he has received a generous £170,000.
This is a FIFTH ranking tournament victory since the first week of October, the second of which has occurred in the Far East.
And following last month’s lovely BetVictor Series bonus of £150,000, he has ticked over into seven figures in prize money in his bank account this campaign.
Less than a month out from the Crucible, the world No.2 is in his exceptional form and left poor Ding, 36, looking like a sorry, crestfallen figure in his chair during the trophy presentation.
One shot by Trump in particular – a powerfully-hit blue off its spot in the 10th frame – was described by commentators as “one of the great shots you’ll see all season”.
The world No.2 – who top-scored with a 130 break – said: “It’s going to be difficult to win more titles this season but I’ve put myself in an amazing position.
“I have been able to relax and enjoy this season.
“I have managed to keep ticking over, winning the German Masters last month and now this one. Also getting to a couple of finals. It’s been the dream season for me."
Hard work Pei's off
Lei Peifan earned a return to the World Snooker Tour after one year out with a comeback win in the final of the Asia Pacific Open Championship.
The Chinese star, 20, beat Vinnie Calabrese 6-5 from 5-3 down in in Mount Pritchard, Australia.
Both men sauntered through the group phase before Lei toppled Adam Waller and Chi Kin Yeung, then Luo Honghao 4-2 in an eagerly-anticipated quarter-final.
Next he saw off Hong Kong China’s Wan Nansen Sin Man 5-2 in the last four.
Ex-pro and recent Q Tour Asia Pacific event winner Calabrese looked equally ominous on route to the final, beating fellow Aussie Shaun Dalitz 5-1 in the semis.
In fact, Calabrese notched four centuries and 16 more half-ton breaks in all as he moved one frame from winning the tournament.
But Lei took the last three frames to lift the championship crown.
Perhaps more importantly, it booked him a World Snooker Tour card for both 2024/25 and 2025/26.
World Championship chances?
Judd Trump was always in contention for victory at next month's event.
But this win in Yushan solidifies that and his place amongst the favourites for the competition.
Ronnie goes into it at the top of the betting but Trump cannot be ignored, while Ding Junhui will have his supporters, too.
A Rocket vs Trump final, anyone...?
Latest odds
- Ronnie O'Sullivan 5/2
- Judd Trump 4/1
- Mark Selby 8/1
- Neil Robertson 11/1
- Mark Allen 12/1
- Ding Junhui 16/1
- John Higgins 16/1
- Luca Brecel 18/1
- Kyren Wilson 20/1
- Mark Williams 20/1
- Shaun Murphy 20/1
- 25/1 bar
Judd claims partisan crowd 'motivated' him
Judd Trump claims he used the partisan Chinese audience backing Ding Junhui to his advantage as he romped to victory in the World Open final.
Trump beat the home favourite 10-4 and revealed he's learnt from facing a tough atmosphere when playing fellow English superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Credit: Getty He said: "It's one of those games I seem to thrive on.
"I remember playing Ronnie in the Masters final and I did the same thing. There's something that really gets me going.
"I knew it was going to be tough and knew how important it was to get off to a good lead because you could feel the support behind him but it was also very fair.
"It's obviously difficult, no-one wants your opponent to have more support but I just used it to my advantage to motivate myself."
When is the World Snooker Championship 2024?
All eyes will now be on next month's tournament from the Crucible.
- The World Snooker Championship 2024 will begin on Saturday, April 20th 2024.
- The tournament will run until Monday, May 6th 2024.
- The Crucible Theatre will play host.
Trump fires Rocket warning
Judd Trump roared “The magnificent seven is on!” after thrashing home favourite Ding Junhui in the World Open final.
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry share the record for world titles on seven.
But 2019 world champ Trump is level with the Rocket for tournament triumphs this season.
He said: “The magnificent seven is on! I’ve put myself in an amazing position this season.
"I’ve now got a mindset where I want to win and I don’t punish myself when I miss easy balls like a lot of other players do."
The winning moment
The closing stages of the final today, with Ding trying to prolong the contest with a couple of snookers needed.
But it didn't come to much and was speculative at best, with Trump securing victory with a peach of a pink.
Racking up the victories
The five wins for Trump already this season.
- English Open
- Wuhan Open
- Northern Ireland Open
- German Masters
- 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧
Trump climbs the ladder
Judd Trump has equalled Steve Davis' tally of 28 ranking titles after victory in Yushan.
Most ranking titles:
41 - Ronnie O'Sullivan
36 - Stephen Hendry
31 - John Higgins
28 Steve Davis
28 - Judd Trump
Credit: GETTY How the match was won
And here are the frame scores throughout the match.
Earlier on in the contest, Trump seemed to come through all the tight frames, showing why he is progressing through these tournaments.
Ding managed to get to the final interval at least after Trump was unlucky in the 11th frame, fouling when trying to play into the pack.
Judd reacts
Judd Trump reckons he saved the best snooker of his tournament to the last session to secure his “comfortable” victory.
Here’s what he had to say…
