World number one Judd Trump summoned a stunning fightback to defeat China’s Wu Yize 5-4 from 4-0 behind at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
The Ace in the Pack surpassed Northern Ireland's Mark Allen as world number one by reaching the final of the recent Xi’an Grand Prix. However, with a £500,000 top prize on the line this week, Kyren Wilson, Luca Brecel and Ronnie O'Sullivan can potentially surpass the Englishman.
Trump has been in blistering form so far during this campaign, having won the Shanghai Masters in addition to his run to the Xi’an title match. However, he had looked set for a shock exit today when he trailed 20-year-old Wu 4-0.
However, at that point 2019 World Champion Trump summoned a ruthless blitz to turn the game on its head. Breaks of 56, 101, 61, 89 and 55 gave him five consecutive frames to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It books him a last 16 tie with close friend Jack Lisowski, who beat Jak Jones 5-3.
“When it went to 4-2, I started to really believe in myself again. I played a faultless three or four frames and he didn’t have many chances. It was just about trying to get in first and keep him cold every frame,” said 35-year-old Trump.
“I knew he wasn’t going to give it to me. I had to really go out and turn the match around. After the interval it clicked a little bit. I started to score made a century and fount a bit of inspiration. I felt energy from the crowd and it spurred me on.
“I think it helps having my brother (Jack) here. I feel a sense of responsibility to try my best for him as well. I don’t want him to be sat backstage knowing that I’m giving it away. He has obviously made the effort to come here. I always give it 100 percent. In this tournament, with the expectation of how I’ve played so far to start the season it was nice to turn things around and get the win.”
Although Trump survived, the top 16 players were toppled in five of this afternoon’s eight games.
Xiao Guodong put on a hugely impressive display to thrash world number two Mark Allen 5-1, while Scott Donaldson was a 5-1 victor against Barry Hawkins. They now face each other in the last 16.
However, 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy put on a strong performance to secure a 5-2 win over Yuan Sijun. He now faces Elliot Slessor, who scored a shock 5-3 win over Ali Carter.
Murphy said: “I’m delighted with that. It is a massive tournament. You have a privilege as a top 16 player to come in at this stage and it would have been a shame to waste that. You are on a hiding to nothing in though as if you win you are supposed to and if you lose it is a massive shock. I have nothing but admiration for Yuan, I think he is a fine young player.
“There is no getting away from it. The financial pressures are there and there are very few players competing today where this sort of money doesn’t matter to them. I’m certainly not one of them. I think there is also the pressure of being expected to win though.”
Neil Robertson continued his resurgence with a 5-3 win over Mark Selby. He now plays Scottish and Welsh Open Champion Gary Wilson, who beat David Gilbert 5-2.