Stephen Lee was once a rising star. Now, Judd Trump is but he was beaten 10-8 from 6-2 up by Lee tonight to be denied a place at the Crucible.
And Lee was pleased. Very pleased.
Not just to win but to beat Trump.
“There’s a bit of local rivalry there and he fluked a few balls and didn’t put his hand up," Lee said.
“The boy’s good, there’s no doubt about it, but I’m glad I beat him.
“All I’ve heard about for the last five years in my area is how good he is, and he is good, you can’t take that away from the lad.
“But he’s blown a 6-3 lead today and I hope that will stick with him for a while yet. We’ve all had these war wounds to deal with."
Lee's clearance in the last frame was superb and he was, of course, buzzing with excitement to win.
But I think beating Trump is enough without having to rub it in.
28 comments:
Steve's been shooting his mouth off all season about how no one wants to draw him in the last 32. It really bugs me because when he plays well he's a great player, but there's a reason he's not in the 16 any more and gloating over Trump makes me hope he draws someone who gives him a good kicking at The Crucible.
I have felt for a while how over rated young Judd is. Ok he looks the part when in the balls, has the funky hair cut so is noticeable, but what has he actually achieved?! Nothing, apart from beating Ronnie in a match when Ronnie looked out of his mind. His stats are far from impressive, for example his 50 break ratio, which every top player needs to get to the business ends of tournament. In the last 18 months or so, Judd wins 48% of the frames he wins with a 50 break. Compare this to some other qualifying players...Holt 53%, Higginson 58%,Gould 51%. The list is pretty endless in truth, oh and lets not forget everyone saying Judd has no safety game. Hopefully now everyone can just get off the Trump bandwagon. Don't believe everything you read, ok he's good, but he certainly isnt any better than the rest of hopefuls, and top 4 player?!...don't make me laugh. Top 16?...Probably, if he applies himself
he better than maguire was at his age. thatll do for me
How do you gauge he was better than Maguire?
I agree Trump is OVERRATED.
He never played in the final..
And i dont think he will be soon.
true- he has achieved more at this age than Maguire or Murphy managed- as usual the test of time will be decisive
JohnH
It took Shaun Murphy eight years as a professional to get in the top 16.
Players mature at their own rate. Writing them off at the age of 19 is daft in my opinion.
That said, Trump's future success and the extent to which he applies himself is in his own hands.
It seems surprising that people are criticising Trump this season in which besides O'Sullivan and Stephen Lee, he's beaten Perry, Swail and Williams (plus almost all his first round opponents), whereas last year he didn't do that much.
He's not racing up the rankings (like some people predicted) in the manner of Hendry or O'Sullivan, but he has made progress.
I don't myself feel that Trump is overated. I would however state that he is the victim of hype. Being called the next big thing for years and making the crucible at 17 (like Hendry and O'sullivan) made it seem realistic for people to expect him to have won something by now, he hasn't but is only 19 and I predict will steadilly progress to the top 16 within the next few seasons.
I always thought Lee would eat Trump.
Must have had a large breakfast instead ...
What a bloody clearance that was, one of the best I've seen live I think. Was shaking like a leaf at the end and I wasn't really supporting either player.
I cried when Trump lost.
Poor him.
I also feel very disappointed.
Not because Trump lost, but because he lost to a always arrogant guy. In fact Trump was the better player in the match.
Trump is "overrated" in the sense that people expect more from him than he is capable of delivering consistently nowadays. That doesn't mean he isn't very good and probably one of the most promising prospects in the game. He's a victim of the "hype" around him as was Michael White last season.
Having said that I percieve him as a bit (well more than just a bit) arrogant. This is my personal perception based on his comments on various occasions, his attitude at the table (as reported by Lee), his excessive confidence (he was the only one not to be nervous ... as reported by Dave H.) I don't know him personally so I may be wrong: there can be many reasons to a brazen attitude, including fought shyness and insecurity. But if he is - as I perceive him to be - then this spanking might just be what he needs to come back with his feet on earth and motivate him to work even harder next season. And good luck to him, the game needs new blood.
PS: there is nothing wrong with confidence, it's an asset in a game like snooker, and the line is thin between confidence and arrogance.
I'm no fan of Peter Ebdon, but Stephen Lee was very critical of the way Ebdon conducted himself in the aftermath of beating Lee at The Crucible eight years ago.
In my opinion Lee's own behaviour yesterday was from the same category, and arguably worse.
I hope once Stephen has come down from the high of his big win, he takes the time to make amends.
No Monique,
judd Trump i8s no victim to any "hype"- he has qualified to ost tournaments this season- he is 19- the opposition is worse than ever and Stephen Lee is a very tough customer.
It is upmanship1 Lee has an attitude and so has Trump and that is great!
To me it is ok of Lee to say that
Trump should dwell on the loss.
"we all have our battlescars" says it all. If you survive, you,ll be so much stronger next time around.
Buy victim of the hype I mean he's put under unfair pressure by high expectations people have on him while he's still very young and should be allowed to "grow-up" at his own pace. Yes he has qualified for most events. However is only provisionally 47 in the rankings and will not play in Sheffield. So?
He's quality in the making, but still in the making.
This is just one example of what snooker needs, a bit of open rivalry. What a differnt place we may be in if the big boys started having a little more emotion shown and true feelings about both wins and defeats. I know they are hamstrung in what they can say by WS but its good just look at the number of comments in the blog lets hope for more of this.
Well done the big man. Pies and pints over hair gel any day.
"The obnoxious Stephen Lee" - Quote from the book "On Snooker" by Mordecai Richler.
Mat Wilson, half-way across Hadrians Wall Footpath:-)
Everybody knows Lee could be awfull.
But yestarday Trump was arrogant not Stephen.
He fluked few balls and didn't react.
He was punish.I was very glad to see it.Clearance in 18 frame- the best i have seen from Alex Higgins vs White in 1982 or so.
Seriously!
Do you remember what Trump said after clash against King in UK?
That King is swearing.haha.
So his arrogancy is not surprising for me at all.
He is still a kid who needs a few lessons of respect to oldest players.
Well done Stephen Lee.
Good luch at Crucible.
I think Lee was alright to do what he did, we need a bit of needle from time to time. Journos say that and then seem to critcise players for stoking the fires a little?
I didn't agree with what he said
I didn't say he shouldn't have said it
Re Monique's comment: Trump was provisionally 47th at the start of the season; he's now provisionally 28th.
Judd is progressing well through the ranks and playing to a good standard- he should make the top 16in the next 2 years- from what I hear the match was a very high standard and it is a pity that 2 players provisionally ranked in the top 32 will not both be in the 32 man field at the crucible.
Having spoken to Judd I find him pleasant and affable and about as arrogant as I found Hendry 20 years ago- dont forget that there is still time for Judd to beat Hendry as the youngest ever world champion
To be fair Dave I was not having a personal dig but journos in general. Having said that I agree about the quote regarding the scars, a little nasty. I just feel though if we are negative somewhat about a bit needle even if we don't like it then we don't get any. Trump rubbed up Mark King as well. I was suprised you condemned Lee as you had bigged up Quinten Hann for his controversy factor when he said far worse than Lee.
Yes Andrew, currently 28 actually. I got mixed between Janie's numerous tables apparantly. My mistake. I was puzzled I must say as Judd has won his two first matches at least in almost every event this year.
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