Judd Trump kick-started his 2024/25 campaign with a spectacular showing at the Shanghai Masters at the weekend.
He blew away the field overcoming Mark Williams, Si Jiahui, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Shaun Murphy in Sunday’s final.
Trump dropped just 12 frames in four matches in China and he’s clearly suffering no hangover from a quarter-final exit at the World Championships to Jak Jones.
The player claimed the trophy along with the £210,000 prize money and this victory sends a warning to the rest of the World Snooker Tour.
What Judd Trump said about beating Ronnie O’Sullivan in Shanghai
Beating O’Sullivan in Shanghai is akin to trying to oust Manchester United at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson was in his pomp.
Trump ended O’Sullivan’s staggering 21-match unbeaten streak in Shanghai, with Michael Holt the last player to beat him at the tournament in 2016.
The Bristolian has admitted that facing the Rocket was like playing in a final and made it hard for him to get going in the final against Murphy.
He told the Snooker Club podcast: “Anytime you play Ronnie it’s like playing a final. So to pick yourself up again is tricky. You would know because you’re the last player to beat him. I’m very happy to join that club with you Michael.”
Trump sends warning to fells pros with Shanghai Masters win
It was really disappointing for Trump to end his season with a whimper at the World Championships in May, following five title wins last season.
The 34-year-old is craving more major titles and it’s fair to say that holding one world crown is something that he’d dearly love to address.
If he felt pressure at the Shanghai Masters, he certainly didn’t show it and played some mesmerising snooker.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| Last 16 | Mark Williams | 6-2 |
| Quarter-Final | Si Jiahui | 6-2 |
| Semi-Final | Ronnie O’Sullivan | 10-3 |
| Final | Shaun Murphy | 11-5 |
It’s quite remarkable that he suggested it was tough to get up for the final after beating O’Sullivan in the last four – given how dominant he was against Murphy.
Trump has now amassed 990 century breaks during his career and has taken his number of career titles to 41 with this win.
The rest of the field should take his dominant showing in China as a message that Trump means business this season.