10.10.08

TOP TRUMPS

One man’s bad luck is another’s good fortune.

Graeme Dott may not play in the Royal London Watches Grand Prix and even if he does won’t be expecting much with a broken left wrist.

Step forward Judd Trump, his 19 year-old opponent.

I first saw Trump play when, at ten, he won the EASB English under 15 title. He turned professional four years ago and had huge expectations placed on him.

Some would argue he is yet to deliver. Actually, he has risen the rankings each year in the way, for example, Stephen Maguire did in his early years on the circuit, qualified for the Crucible in 2007 and was a frame from doing so last season.

What he is yet to do is get used to playing on television.

But Trump has time on his side. There have been very few teenage ranking event winners – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Paul Hunter and Ding Junhui – and you don’t get extra points for winning titles before you are 20.

What Trump needs is a good run in a tournament, preferably beating a couple of big names, to give him the self belief he needs to make the next step.

Glasgow would be as good a place to start as any.

2 comments:

andy said...

Now that would be a good idea!! Top Trumps with snooker players as the theme! :o)

Professional Experience
Flare
Titles
World Titles
Centuries
Maximums
Prize Money

PS., Judd Trump is an amazing player, he plays pretty well right handed too!!

Andy

Anonymous said...

Judd has had some tough draws and come up against players in very good form in the last couple of years. I expect him to follow Ricky Walden and get to at least a final this season.