Judd Trump faced disappointment following a nail-biting match against Neil Robertson in the quarter-finals of the Champion of Champions tournament. Trump expressed his frustration over what he perceived as “bad luck” during the intense contest, which stretched over an exhausting five-and-a-half hours. The match culminated in a 6-4 victory for Robertson, who has now set the stage for a semi-final match-up against Mark Williams.
The encounter began dramatically, with Robertson quickly establishing a commanding 3-1 lead. However, the resilience commonly associated with Trump surfaced as he fought back valiantly to level the score. Despite Trump’s efforts to regain control, the Australian competitor managed to inch ahead by securing two pivotal frames that ultimately led to his victory. The battle was not only a test of skill but also one of endurance, as both players battled through intense moments in a high-stakes atmosphere at the Bolton venue.
Reflecting on the match in an interview with ITV, Trump lamented over the series of events that did not fall in his favor. “Not a lot to say really,” Trump remarked. He articulated his feelings of being “really unlucky” and noted that even Robertson himself seemed aware of how competitive the match had been. Trump highlighted moments of the match where he felt he had opportunities that slipped away due to misfortune, particularly in the critical tenth frame where he nearly forced a decider. The star player expressed a certain admiration for Robertson despite the slow pace of play he exhibited at times, stating, “Hopefully he gets on with it for the rest of the tournament. It would be nice to see him go and win it again.”
In their previous encounters that day, both players exhibited contrasting styles. Trump began with an impressive display, having previously triumphed over Ding Junhui with a significant 5-0 whitewash, showcasing his ability to play under pressure by achieving a solid 69 break early in the match. Meanwhile, Robertson’s journey to this quarter-final was rocky as he encountered difficulties against Ali Carter before ultimately finding his form and taking charge of the game against Trump.
Once on the table, Robertson regained his sharpness, producing remarkable potting skills in the seventh frame, which featured a superb break of 90. His ability to capitalize on Trump’s lapses in safety towards the late stages of the match allowed him to extend his lead. One of the highlights of the match was Robertson’s dazzling long red, which left the audience in awe and allowed him to garner an impressive break of 84, leaving Trump trailing.
Despite the pressures Trump faced, he did manage to deliver moments of brilliance, especially following the interval. He rebounded to claim the fifth frame decisively, and as tensions heightened in a match filled with strategy and skill, he leveled the match at 3-3. Robertson, however, would not let up. He struck back and began swinging the balance in his favor once more as the showdown continued to unravel with twists that kept spectators on edge.
The climactic moments were particularly enthralling, with both players engaging in a prolonged duel characterized by meticulous safety play, leading to an exhausting 56-minute frame. Trump managed to claw back into contention after trailing Robertson 5-3 but faced critical challenges, particularly in positioning for the final balls. In a dramatic sequence of events, he nearly equalized, only for Robertson to subtly sidestep the danger and close out the match.
Post-match, Robertson praised his opponent’s abilities, affirming Trump’s status as a formidable competitor who had consistently showcased his talent over the years, especially in recent performances. As the dust settled on this captivating contest, Trump and Robertson illustrated the sheer intensity and high level of skill synonymous with snooker, as they each engaged in a chess-like battle on the green baize. With Robertson now poised to face Williams in the semi-final, fans can eagerly anticipate whether he can continue his impressive form in the tournament.
