Trump wins thrilling final with O'Sullivan to claim Masters title
Judd Trump put Ronnie O'Sullivan to the sword to claim a first Masters title in thrilling style on Sunday night.
The Juddernaut emphatically beat seven-time champion O'Sullivan 10-4 to pocket the £200,000 first prize and lift the Paul Hunter Trophy at Alexandra Palace.
It was a huge and emotional triumph for world No 5 Trump as he won only a second snooker major since bursting on to the scene eight years ago.
Judd Trump poses with the Masters trophy after defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-4
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Back in 2011 Trump, now 29, reached a first world final and scorched to a UK Championship success with his brand of 'naughty snooker'.
But since then in the biggest tournaments Romford-based Trump, despite racking up other titles, has come up short.
And in this same arena only 12 months ago he was desolate after tossing away a big lead to lose a semi-final to Kyren Wilson.
But up against five-time world champion O'Sullivan, who remains Trump's benchmark for success, the left-hander added steel and nous to his flair and flamboyance.
Trump had joked that the Alexandra Palace final symbolised O'Sullivan's 'pension plan'
This tournament in his backyard has jokingly been called O'Sullivan's 'pension plan' by tour rivals, and he was in a 13th final.
But despite a 990th and 991st career century breaks the afternoon first-session damage of a 7-1 deficit was way too big to claw back.
O'Sullivan was stopped from extending two records, his marks of seven Masters crowns and 19 Triple Crown titles.
And it was a second final victory this season over O'Sullivan for Trump, having also come out on top at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast before Christmas.
five-time world champion O'Sullivan was unable to recover from Trump's 7-1 first session lead
O'Sullivan lost 9-2 to John Higgins in the 2005 Grand Prix final - but this was one of the bloodiest noses he has ever been given in a showpiece.
This final always had the feel of a coming-of-age movie, as the apprentice showed the sorcerer who was boss on one of the biggest stages.
Trump has for so long been hailed as O'Sullivan's heir apparent and natural successor to the 'People's Champion' tag that natural flair attracts.
But the gap between Triple Crown titles, after joyously bursting on to the scene with his 'naughty snooker', a first world final, and a UK Championship title in 2011, had weighed Trump down.
O'Sullivan was denied an eight Masters trophy and 20th Triple Crown title
The sceptics had pointed to some damaging defeats in big matches, and the question was asked - is raw talent enough?
But this glorious night, with steel and tactical nous now added to his armoury, could kickstart a second phase of Trump's career, one that could well lead to a first world title at the Crucible.
Trump has always relished playing O'Sullivan on the big stage - but the first session exceeded his wildest dreams for a first Masters final.
The left-hander, who coined the phrase 'naughty snooker' during his 2011 breakthrough year, shone in every department.
To his renowned flair and flamboyance Trump has added some steel and tactical nous - and it was all too much for the Rocket.
Trump added steel and tactical nous to his natural flair to produce a career best performance
Breaks of 89 and 87 out him 2-0 up, and when O'Sullivan missed an easy red to cough up frame three, he had scored a total of just eight points.
Trump, 4-0 up at the break, saw O'Sullivan get on the board with a run of 69 but chances to close further were missed and a 66 saw Trump ease 5-1 clear.
After taking the last two of the afternoon Trump stood 7-1 up and 다파벳도메인 only a total collapse or some O'Sullivan genius could deny him the glory.
An incredible ovation greeted the players in the evening, with O'Sullivan delaying his entrance as he could not even hear his name being called by MC Rob Walker.
He took it to the mid-session interval by sharing the first four frames as Trump made breaks of 88 and 68 - and there were efforts of 114 and 109 from O'Sullivan.
Trump holds the Paul Hunter Trophy on the table after winning his second major
Trump said: 'It is incredible to win a second major. It has been seven or eight years since that UK Championship win, and you do wonder if you will win a big one again.
'I was surprised to be 7-1 up after the first session, and I was very pleased with how I held myself together, plus my safety both against Ronnie and Mark Selby last week.
'My brother Jack gave up his job to help me on tour this season, it has been amazing to have him with me, making me practice. With my mum and dad, it makes for a family success.'
The defeated O'Sullivan said: 'I would like to congratulate Judd, he played a great tournament and played really well this afternoon. From 7-1 down it was nigh on impossible tonight but I gave it a go.
'I am obviously disappointed to lose a big final but when I reflect the season has been okay so far, with three titles and two other finals.'
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The Juddernaut emphatically beat seven-time champion O'Sullivan 10-4 to pocket the £200,000 first prize and lift the Paul Hunter Trophy at Alexandra Palace.
It was a huge and emotional triumph for world No 5 Trump as he won only a second snooker major since bursting on to the scene eight years ago.Judd Trump poses with the Masters trophy after defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-4
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Ronnie O'Sullivan reaches 13th Masters final after holding... Judd Trump eases past Mark Selby to secure fourth Masters...
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Back in 2011 Trump, now 29, reached a first world final and scorched to a UK Championship success with his brand of 'naughty snooker'.
But since then in the biggest tournaments Romford-based Trump, despite racking up other titles, has come up short.
And in this same arena only 12 months ago he was desolate after tossing away a big lead to lose a semi-final to Kyren Wilson.
But up against five-time world champion O'Sullivan, who remains Trump's benchmark for success, the left-hander added steel and nous to his flair and flamboyance.
Trump had joked that the Alexandra Palace final symbolised O'Sullivan's 'pension plan'
This tournament in his backyard has jokingly been called O'Sullivan's 'pension plan' by tour rivals, and he was in a 13th final.
But despite a 990th and 991st career century breaks the afternoon first-session damage of a 7-1 deficit was way too big to claw back.
O'Sullivan was stopped from extending two records, his marks of seven Masters crowns and 19 Triple Crown titles.
And it was a second final victory this season over O'Sullivan for Trump, having also come out on top at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast before Christmas.
five-time world champion O'Sullivan was unable to recover from Trump's 7-1 first session lead
O'Sullivan lost 9-2 to John Higgins in the 2005 Grand Prix final - but this was one of the bloodiest noses he has ever been given in a showpiece.
This final always had the feel of a coming-of-age movie, as the apprentice showed the sorcerer who was boss on one of the biggest stages.
Trump has for so long been hailed as O'Sullivan's heir apparent and natural successor to the 'People's Champion' tag that natural flair attracts.
But the gap between Triple Crown titles, after joyously bursting on to the scene with his 'naughty snooker', a first world final, and a UK Championship title in 2011, had weighed Trump down.
O'Sullivan was denied an eight Masters trophy and 20th Triple Crown title
The sceptics had pointed to some damaging defeats in big matches, and the question was asked - is raw talent enough?
But this glorious night, with steel and tactical nous now added to his armoury, could kickstart a second phase of Trump's career, one that could well lead to a first world title at the Crucible.
Trump has always relished playing O'Sullivan on the big stage - but the first session exceeded his wildest dreams for a first Masters final.
The left-hander, who coined the phrase 'naughty snooker' during his 2011 breakthrough year, shone in every department.
To his renowned flair and flamboyance Trump has added some steel and tactical nous - and it was all too much for the Rocket.
Trump added steel and tactical nous to his natural flair to produce a career best performance
Breaks of 89 and 87 out him 2-0 up, and when O'Sullivan missed an easy red to cough up frame three, he had scored a total of just eight points.
Trump, 4-0 up at the break, saw O'Sullivan get on the board with a run of 69 but chances to close further were missed and a 66 saw Trump ease 5-1 clear.
After taking the last two of the afternoon Trump stood 7-1 up and 다파벳도메인 only a total collapse or some O'Sullivan genius could deny him the glory.
An incredible ovation greeted the players in the evening, with O'Sullivan delaying his entrance as he could not even hear his name being called by MC Rob Walker.
He took it to the mid-session interval by sharing the first four frames as Trump made breaks of 88 and 68 - and there were efforts of 114 and 109 from O'Sullivan.
Trump holds the Paul Hunter Trophy on the table after winning his second major
Trump said: 'It is incredible to win a second major. It has been seven or eight years since that UK Championship win, and you do wonder if you will win a big one again.
'I was surprised to be 7-1 up after the first session, and I was very pleased with how I held myself together, plus my safety both against Ronnie and Mark Selby last week.
'My brother Jack gave up his job to help me on tour this season, it has been amazing to have him with me, making me practice. With my mum and dad, it makes for a family success.'
The defeated O'Sullivan said: 'I would like to congratulate Judd, he played a great tournament and played really well this afternoon. From 7-1 down it was nigh on impossible tonight but I gave it a go.
'I am obviously disappointed to lose a big final but when I reflect the season has been okay so far, with three titles and two other finals.'
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Ronnie O'Sullivan reaches 13th Masters final after holding... Judd Trump eases past Mark Selby to secure fourth Masters...
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