Judd Trump 'very, very, very far' from his best as he battles to find form with deep run at Northern Ireland Open

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Judd Trump eased to a 4-1 win over Gary Wilson to reach the quarter-finals of the Northern Ireland Open, but the world No. 1 is still not happy with the level of his game. Trump is hopeful that a deep run in Belfast will help him get back to his best. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Northern Ireland Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.

'What a way to launch' - Trump opens Wilson clash with total clearance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Judd Trump has suggested he is way short of playing his best snooker, but is happy to be getting to the business end of tournaments.

With a new cue in hand, Trump is striving to find his top form as he seeks to win a first title since the UK Championship in 2024.

The world No. 1 battled his way into the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Open, and then looked more in tune in his 4-1 win over Gary Wilson at Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Thursday.

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Trump spoke of his frustration with conditions following his win over Jackson Page, but there appeared to be no such troubles a day later as he opened up with a total clearance of 132.

Contributions of 95 and 83 followed as he eased into the quarter-finals, but Trump is still looking for a spark in his game.

"I am happy I won," Trump told TNT Sports in response to whether he was pleased with his display. "It was not a good performance.

Trump's 'big risk' pays off as he uses black to pot a red

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"Gary struggled and it’s sometimes difficult when you see your opponent struggling. I had no momentum, so it was about holding yourself together.

"I got off to a good start, but a few missed balls after that. I was happy with the win."

Asked for a figure on where his game is at, Trump said: "I am 99% off, I think. I am very, very, very far from playing my best.

"It is just the sharpness. When you win matches you are really sharp. And when you are not going deep in tournaments you are having a week, two weeks off all the time, and you are just not match sharp.

"It’s the little details here and there that if I am getting deeper into tournaments you feel involved. It is just that bit of sharpness and confidence that is missing at the moment."

Trump is looking to take the positives from his win over Wilson.

"I have played a lot better this season and lost, and you have to remember that sometimes," Trump said.

"The standard is difficult, and there are going to be days when you don’t play well and win and are still in the tournament.

"It is something you have to learn, be grateful for every win and go again as there is still time to improve."

'I am 99% off' - Trump unhappy with form

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump feels the pockets on the table in Belfast are tighter than in recent tournaments.

"I think on that table it is important to get off to a good start as it is tricky," Trump said.

"The pockets are tighter than what we have been playing on recently and as soon as you miss one or two balls your confidence goes, you are then two or three down and thinking about what flight you are getting on."

Trump will take on John Higgins following his win over Si Jiahui.

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Northern Ireland Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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