Trump – I Must Win In Berlin

Judd Trump believes that it’s almost win or bust for the chasing pack in Berlin to keep their hopes alive of securing the BetVictor European Series bonus.

The world number one failed to qualify for last week’s European Masters in Austria and so watched Neil Robertson pick up the £80,000 first prize in Dornbirn.

That puts the Australian, also in the field at this week’s BetVictor German Masters, in pole position for the £150,000 extra pay-out for being top money-winner in a four-event series.

Reigning World Champion Trump, 30, is the favourite to lift the trophy at the 2,500-capacity Tempodrom in a strong field.

And if Trump can put pressure on world number four Robertson then he admits he may well enter the quickfire BetVictor Shoot Out and BetVictor Gibraltar Open – events he does not always take part in.

Trump said: “I think I have to win the event in Berlin this week to have a real chance of the bonus.

“It is a good incentive, and with Neil winning last week and also qualifying for the German Masters he has put himself in a very strong position already.

“Someone, and hopefully that can be me, will have to lift the trophy at the German Masters to challenge him. Even then you might be hoping that he doesn’t do so well in the tournament.

“Certainly if I won at the Tempodrom I would probably enter the Shoot Out, and like Neil I don’t normally do that. I think I’d have to. I’ll see what he does!

“A win for one of the top players in Germany could make that Shoot Out a much bigger tournament, and the entries would be fascinating.”

As well as Trump and Robertson there are other leading players who will be eyeing victory in Germany.

Four-time world champion John Higgins, recent UK Championship winner Ding Junhui, three-time Crucible king Mark Williams and the in-form Shaun Murphy are all in the field.

The action at the Tempodrom starts on Wednesday afternoon – for the match schedule click here