Shaun Murphy lauds Judd Trump's 'intimidation factor' ahead of Northern Ireland Open title defence - 'Ridiculous'
Published 19/10/2024 at 15:50 GMT+1
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Judd Trump is the favourite to win the Northern Ireland Open and continue an exceptional 2024. And Shaun Murphy has backed the world No. 1 to add another title to his growing list, admitting that Trump now has an "intimidation factor" going into matches. The 35-year-old already has four titles to his name so far this year, and is looking to win the Northern Ireland Open for a fifth time.
Trump left baffled after cue mystery in Higgins clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Shaun Murphy has hailed "ridiculous" Judd Trump's unique ability to intimidate opponents before they even play against him.
Trump has won the Saudi Arabia Masters, World Open, German Masters and Shanghai Masters already this year to move clear at the top of the world rankings.
The Englishman also reached the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open, eventually losing to China's Si Jiahui.
And Murphy, who currently sits eighth in the world rankings, has expressed his admiration of Trump's remarkable consistency.
"Ridiculous. Somebody needs to remind Judd that snooker is actually quite difficult," he told Metro.
"I said after our match in Saudi, I think it’s his ability to just keep potting. Aside from we always talk about how he’s now the fully rounded player, it’s his pure ability to keep going. It is incredible really.
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Trump knocks in sixth century of the tournament to take opening frame against Si
Video credit: TNT Sports
"You’ll be sat in your chair thinking he’s going to miss and another 40 points will go on his score without you really being sure what’s happened. He’s just phenomenal, a phenomenom.
"He’s into that category of players that when you get to a weekend of an event, of course he’ll still be in the draw, it’s a shock when he’s not."
Trump's form has been so impressive that Murphy has drawn comparisons with two of the greatest players of all time: Ronnie O’Sullivan and Steve Davis.
"He’s got that intimidation factor now, he’s got that with most players," Murphy added. "Most players are beaten before they play him.
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"Because of his style you always get a chance to win because he does play aggressively, but most players get that chance and they can’t bring themselves to beat him.
"Only a few players in the history of the game have had that, it’s like a 12th man. The guy you’re playing doesn’t think they can beat you. There’s only a handful of players who have reached that status in the game.
"A lot of the rookies come on the tour and it’s a bit like I was with Steve Davis, they’ve had a picture of Ronnie O’Sullivan on their wall. He’s been their idol and they’re nervous to be in the same room as him, let alone have to try and beat him. I found it hard with Steve Davis because he was my idol."
Trump is next in action on Sunday, facing Ishpreet Singh Chadha in the Northern Ireland Open, live on discovery+.
He will be looking to defend his title after success in the tournament last year, as well as three successive Northern Ireland Opens between 2018 and 2020.
Stream top snooker action, including the Northern Ireland Open, live on discovery+
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