Summary:
- Judd Trump won his second UK Championship title after a 13-year wait.
- Trump secured a tense 10-8 victory over Barry Hawkins in a thrilling snooker final in York.
- The win marked the Bristol player’s 30th career ranking title.
Judd Trump finally put an end to the 13-year wait for his much-anticipated second UK Championship title after he narrowly edged out Barry Hawkins in a nail-biting 10-8 final in York.
Hard Fight
The world number one had to dig deep as Hawkins clawed back two frames, closing the gap to just one.
A missed red by Hawkins in the 18th frame allowed Trump to step up with a 67 break, which ultimately secured his victory.
Hawkins, relentless until the end, managed to earn one of two needed snookers in a gripping safety exchange, leaving Trump anxiously watching from his seat.
I wasn’t enjoying myself in my seat at 9-8, I was thinking this could be the worst loss of all time, so it’s just pure relief
This hard-fought win marks Trump’s first UK Championship since 2011 and his 30th career ranking title.
Despite struggling to hit top gear, Judd Trump delivered crucial moments when it mattered, fending off Hawkins, who had earlier stunned Ronnie O’Sullivan in the opening round and battled past Mark Allen in a late-night semi-final.
Hawkins Lost Four Triple Crown Finals
Hawkins, who has now lost four triple crown finals, acknowledged Trump’s brilliance.
If someone had said I’d get to the final I’d have taken it, but once you’re in the final you want to win. I’ve beaten some great players this week, but I’ve lost to the best player in the world at the moment. He’s such a fantastic player and it’s no disgrace.
The turning point came in the 15th frame when Hawkins’ wayward safety left Trump with a chance to produce a flawless 133 clearance, bringing him within a frame of victory.
However, Hawkins refused to go quietly, rallying with breaks of 75 and 82 to reduce the deficit to 9-8 and keeping Trump under pressure.
Trump seized his opportunity after Hawkins faltered on a break of 20 in the 18th frame, crafting a decisive 67 break.
Though it fell just short of closing out the match, Trump managed to capitalize in a tense safety exchange, and the long brown finally secured his win.
It’s been 13 years, it’s not easy to win these events, To do it in the manner I’ve done it, with probably one of the toughest draws of all time, I’m so proud of myself.