Judd Trump admits he knew that Zhang Anda could cause anyone in the English Open serious problems after dispatching Ronnie O’Sullivan en route to his first ranking final appearance. Zhang produced some of the best snooker of his career as he defeated the World No 1 in the tournament’s round of 16 by four frames to two.
He followed this up with wins over Zhou Yuelong and Liu Hongyu before meeting Trump in the showpiece final at the Brentwood Centre. Zhang got off to a flying start and led Trump 7-3 at one stage.
However, the former world champion came back brilliantly to win the final 9-7 and clinch his second English Open title. Speaking after the game, Trump said: “Zhang played well until 7-3 and put me under a lot of pressure, it was only when he missed a couple that I started to turn it round.
“After he beat Ronnie I knew he was comfortable to get over the line against anyone. He looked at home, I was just hoping that something drastic was going to happen because he was looking like the best player in the tournament.
“I had to stay patient and dig in because losing in a final is not a nice experience when you have to watch your opponent pick up a trophy.” Trump then humbly admitted: “Zhang played unbelievably and probably deserved to win. He was the better player.”
Zhang will no doubt be disappointed by falling at the final hurdle but the 31-year-old is incredibly proud of his deep run in the tournament. “When I was 7-3 up I missed a blue in the middle pocket and Judd came back like a monster,” he said. “I’m still really happy with this week for myself.”
Mighty Mouse turned over as a professional in 2009 but had never progressed beyond a ranking quarter-final heading into this year’s English Open. His previous career highlights include appearances at the Crucible in 2010, 2015 and 2016 as well as victory in the ACBS Asian Under-21 Championship in 2009.
The latter triumph bagged him a place in the Main Tour for the 2009-2010 season. He now finds himself ranked at a career-highest No 40 in the World after heading into the English Open placed at No 57.
