O’Sullivan on the match”I enjoyed the battle. When I play snooker, I feel young in my head. I knock about 20 years off. As long as I’m still feeling young at the table I don’t think age is an issue. Experience is helping me, I’ve got a lot. I’m probably a better all-round player than I’ve ever been”
In the World Grand Prix final, Ronnie O’Sullivan overcame a 4-0 deficit to defeat Judd Trump 10-7, capping an incredible run of 14 straight victories and three trophies.
After the game, the dominant seven-time world champion gave credit for his most recent victory to two purchases he had made earlier in the week and to abstaining from junk food.
“I enjoyed that, I really did,” O’Sullivan said.
“The start of the week I was feeling a bit rough then I bought myself an air fryer and a smoothie maker and started eating a bit better.
eating junk food makes me feel weird, so I don’t enjoy it. As the week progressed, I began to feel better. Last night, I gave it my all in my snooker match against Ding [Junhui].
LIVE Trending Transfer Center! Latest Papers by Benzema, Gallagher, and Nusa: Spurs are contemplating a late bid for Solanke.
‘Loved’ the altercation between White and Zinchenko at the end of Forest’s victory
Van Dijk makes Liverpool’s future clear: “I was misinterpreted.”
Rashford and INEOS are headed for a collision, not just with Ten Hag
McIlroy reverses course on those who left LIV Golf.
PL’s successes and failures: Arsenal’s character keeps them in the hunt for Liverpool.
Man Utd moves: Rashford is having criticism in the locker room as PSG’s eyes move.
Premier League trades: Club to Club
FREE STREAM: Good morning, Transfers. See the most recent
In September, he won the Shanghai Masters as well, and astonishingly, at 48 years old, he might be nearing the pinnacle of his career. His 41 ranking championships puts him well above of Stephen Hendry’s 36 all-time record, and he has earned about £900,000 in prize money this season.
The top two players of the season faced off in what was not a contest that lived up to expectations in terms of standards. The highest break was barely 74, and O’Sullivan only won one frame in a single visit—a far cry from his commanding performance in Saturday’s semi-finals 6-1 victory over Ding Junhui.
Trump had a great start, but he was unable to build on it. He lost seven of the next eight frames and threw away a 6-3 lead due to mistakes made at crucial times.
In a previous era of his career, O’Sullivan might not have had the fortitude to recover without his best game, but these days his mental toughness is a great advantage, and he got stronger as the evening went on, just like he did against Ali Carter in the Masters final a week ago.
After winning in 2018 and 2021, the Rocket claims the World Grand Prix title for the third time. He maintains his lead atop the global rankings and has defeated Trump in his past three finals after the latter lost seven of their previous ten meetings.
“He blasted me off the table at 4-0, I was thinking it could be an early night and a 10-1 job!” stated O’Sullivan.
“I came out and thought ‘just try!’ after managing to nick a couple frames in the afternoon; a 5-3 score gave me some encouragement.
“I had fun during the fight. Judd is a warrior, thus you will have to fight him. He [Trump] is, in my opinion, the favorite to win the World Championship this year. He is powerful.
In my mind, I feel young when I play snooker. Playing takes around twenty years off my age. I don’t think age is truly a problem at the table as long as I still feel young. I believe that my extensive experience is benefiting me.
“I’ve traveled the world, won numerous tournaments, and picked up a lot of knowledge about the game. I believe that right now, I’m probably an improved all-around player.”
The 34-year-old Trump of Bristol, who finished in second place, receives £40,000 for his efforts, but after winning three straight games in October during his personal winning streak of 22 matches, he was unable to secure his 27th career ranking crown and fourth of the season.
After the first session, Trump had a 5-3 lead. He maintained that lead in the opening frame of the evening, breaking 66 to win and then sealing the victory when O’Sullivan missed a tough pot on the last brown.
O’Sullivan began his comeback with breaks of 58, 56, and 75, closing to 6-5. When Trump played a weak safety on the final red in frame 12, his opponent had the opportunity to slot in a mid-range pot and clear to tie the match, and Trump was ahead 57-30.
Following the intermission, O’Sullivan’s 52-run surge gave him his first-ever lead. When he missed a red to the top corner in frame 14, he was up 51-0, and Trump appeared to be about to
Following a great pot on the final red, Trump had another opportunity to clear in the fifteenth, but a challenging cut on the brown rang in a baulk corner pocket and stayed above the baize, so he was soon three down with four to play.
After dropping six straight, Trump won one back with a 73 for 9–7. O’Sullivan made 52 in frame 17 but missed a red to corner when the winning line was only a few pots away.
It’s possible that Trump cleared the yellow but lost position, miscalculated a safety, and left it near a baulk pocket. At the Morningside Arena, a packed throng stood to cheer O’Sullivan’s potting of the colors to win the championship.
