Jimmy White hails 'incredible' Judd Trump after second UK Championship title - 'Once again, he produced under pressure'
ByOli Gent
Updated 01/12/2024 at 23:13 GMT
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Eurosport expert Jimmy White has hailed Judd Trump as "an incredible snooker player," after The Ace in the Pack sealed his second UK Championship title with a 10-8 victory over Barry Hawkins in a tense final in York. Trump, the third seed in the tournament, had beaten second seed Kyren Wilson as well as Neil Robertson, Zhang Anda and John Higgins en route to the final.
Trump is the epitome of modern snooker, says Foulds
Video credit: TNT Sports
Eurosport expert Jimmy White has labelled Judd Trump as "an incredible snooker player" after he secured a second UK Championship title of his career.
Trump, the third seed in York, overcame the unseeded Barry Hawkins 10-8 in a long, drawn-out final at the Barbican, and he had come through a tricky route to get to Sunday's showpiece.
He beat Neil Robertson, John Higgins, and Zhang Anda en route to the final, before defeating second seed Kyren Wilson in the last four with a superb 6-2 victory.
Trump faced Hawkins, who had just snuck past Mark Allen in his semi-final at 1am that morning, and he emerged just six hours later to take on Trump.
However, it was Trump who claimed the title, winning his first UK Championship since 2011, when he beat Mark Allen.
In the Eurosport studio afterwards, White marvelled at Trump's display and performances in the run-up to the final.
"Make no mistake about it [he is one of the best ever]," White said.
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Trump: Everyone wanted Hawkins to win except for my family
Video credit: TNT Sports
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"We always talk about how he was just about potting balls, playing naughty snooker. What he’s done, he’s rounded his game, he’s got great safety play.
"He’s a great shot-maker; great shot selection at the right time. He knew how well Barry was playing, and he knew that Barry wasn’t going to give up and give it 100%.
"Even at 9-6, when you think that he had control of the game, he knew that he had to keep his foot on the gas. When Barry missed that red in the middle pocket, it wasn’t a certainty for Trump to do the damage that he did.
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‘What a battle!’ – Trump holds nerve to sink brilliant brown and seal UK Championship title
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He is Judd Trump, and once again, he produced under pressure - and that’s why he’s champion. An incredible snooker player.
"Judd kept pressing on the gas when Barry got close to him, but Barry should be super proud of himself for the role that he played in this final."
Fellow Eurosport pundit Neal Foulds added: "He is the epitome of modern snooker.
"He’s got a lot of the attributes that you need with the experience, with the safety side of it. He’s got an extra element - the X factor - where he plays incredible shots out of nowhere and pots amazing balls.
"He is the epitome of snooker in 2024."
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