Reigning World Champion – Judd Trump added yet another trophy to his glittering and very impressive collection on Sunday after beating Thai’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh mattress 10-5 to clinch the 2019 World Open.
Trump didn’t quite produce the kind of clever performance that projected him to World Championship glory in May for the first time in his career.
The Thai Rocket started poorly, and although he made a late rally to retrieve a large deficit, there was never a serious challenge mounted.
After the opening couple of frames were split between them, Trump rattled off-breaks of 96, 78, 90, and 85 to move 5-1 in front.
That early lead later moved to become 6-1 after Un-Nooh lost the seventh frame in controversial circumstances when he had to let go the frame courtesy of the three-miss rule.
Doubts arose about the referee’s decisions in both considering one of Un-Nooh’s attempts as a foul and the validity of it being full ball snooker or not at all.
Nonetheless, Trump never relented as he subsequently made a break of 64 to project forward his lead to six frames and the tie looked to be as good as over.
It was not though a whitewash win for Trump as he battled gallantly and took the last frame of the first session on a re-spotted black.
All hope was not lost for Un-Nooh upon the evening’s resumption as he won three out of the first four frames, reducing his arrears to 5-8 down.
Trump £150,000 champion’s cheque sees him extending his lead at the top of the world rankings list, a position he returned to earlier in the campaign on his way to claiming the International Championship in Daqing China.
China has certainly been a happy stamping ground for the “Juddernaut” this term and it’s in this country where it all began when he announced himself on the big stage by winning the 2011 China Open in Beijing.
Since then, Trump has not been consistent having numerous ups and downs, but the 30-year-old Bristol-born professional has never before now soared to these kinds of heights.
It’s been kind of a trend for First time world champions who often struggle the season after their glory at the Crucible but the opposite appears to be for Trump.
Jet lag might prove to be an issue, but the 30-year-old Juddernaut from Bristol will head to the much-awaited upcoming Champion of Champions full of confidence.
For Un-Nooh, who was the last man standing for his home country – Thailand, it was a disappointing end for him.
Un-Nooh who is the 2008 world amateur champion came out victorious in last week’s Haining Open, an invitational competition, and picked up a runners-up cheque worth £75,000 that stands as the biggest ever won by a Thai player on the Main Tour.
Un-Nooh’s history is clear and impressive, and it’s obvious he is edging closer to a possible place in the top 16 when he’ll really be able to see himself as being a member of the elite.
Trump World Open victory serves to remind us all of the facts that he remains among the highest echelons of the game.
Written by: Aruorihwo Imisa