Judd Trump reeled off six frames in a row to snatch the World Grand Prix title away from Ronnie O'Sullivan at the weekend. The inaugural event seemed destined to be won by "The Rocket", when he moved into a commanding 7-4 lead in the best of 19-frame final in Llandudno, but the 25-year-old Bristolian rallied to clinch a 10-7 victory. Trump also made the highest break of the tournament during the final, his 142 total clearance that levelled the match at 7-7 earning him a bonus of £5000 to add to the hefty £100,000 he pocketed for winning the title itself.
The event seemed to be full of comebacks for Trump, as he had to perform a similar trick in the semi-finals from an even more perilous position. In that match against another English player in the form of Martin Gould, the world number seven seed had trailed 5-1 and looked likely to be exiting the event. Displaying admirable tenacity and resilience he stormed back to take the next five frames to take an improbable 6-5 victory.
By contrast, O'Sullivan's semi-final had been far simpler to predict the winner, as the five-time World Champion never looked troubled against Stuart Bingham, claiming a straightforward 6-0 success.
In the final itself, O'Sullivan led 5-4 after the first session and extended his advantage when making an impressive 96 break in the next frame.
A fluked red helped him to move 7-4 ahead, but thereafter his form seemed to dip as Trump gained momentum. As O'Sullivan began to miss his pots, Trump stepped in and levelled the match with that brilliant 142.
In the 15th frame, Ronnie miscued badly and left the white ball on the carpet as a result. Trump took advantage to forge ahead 8-7, the first time he had led during the final since taking the first frame of the match.
It proved to be decisive, as mistakes in the next two frames allowed Trump to pounce and claim the title.
The new event, held at Llandudno's Venu Cymru, seemed to be well received by spectators and players alike. Trump echoed those sentiments: "The venue's been excellent all week. The crowd has been brilliant and I look forward to coming back next year."
It has been some wait for Trump since his last title on the demanding global snooker circuit, that being the Australian Open way back in July last year.
He was rightly delighted afterwards to have taken the top spot in North Wales, especially as it was the first time he had beaten the snooker great in a big final and he had lost their previous two encounters.
O'Sullivan generously presented his silver runner-up medal to a disabled member of the crowd afterwards, Steffan Campbell.
In other snooker news, Michaela Tabb has decided to end her position as referee on the World Snooker circuit after a 14-year association. The 47-year-old Scot had been the most familiar female referee in the sport and had officiated at two world finals, as her abilities were rightly recognised by the game.