Judd Trump is ready to make his mark on the World Championship on the back of his breakthrough win at the China Open.
Youngster happy to be back at the Crucible after three-year absence
Judd Trump is ready to make his mark on the World Championship after proving to himself as much as anyone that he can beat the best around when winning the China Open.
The 21-year-old battered Peter Ebdon and Shaun Murphy before hitting three centuries during a high-quality 10-8 win over Mark Selby in the final of the China Open.
Not only did Trump take home the £60,000 first prize, but he also flew back with the justification that all his hours of lonely practice had started to pay off.
Trump was labelled as the next big thing in snooker some years back, but has largely failed to really establish himself before his China Open win.
Now he heads to the Crucible on a massive high, and has the chance to make an immediate impact as he faces defending champion Neil Robertson on Saturday.
Tough times
"It's been tough," Trump admits. "At times I've obviously not wanted to be there, practising on my own. But the week in China makes it all worth it.
"When you go out and win a tournament like that, the feeling is just unbelievable. You don't think you can feel that good, going out there and just proving everybody wrong.
"People now know I'm a good player who can win tournaments. I've got over the big step of winning my first."
A 147 made when he was just 14 in a junior competition catapulted Trump into the limelight, but after qualifying for the Crucible in 2007 at 17 he has failed to make it back until now.
Trump thanks his family for helping him make the grade and hopes to repay them with a fine performance in Sheffield with his loved ones sat in the Crucible watching on.
"From when I was nine or 10, I think they knew this was what I wanted to do," Trump said. "I think we all realised it at the same time.
Work
"Especially my dad, he knew I had what it takes, and that if I put in the work when I left school and took it seriously then I'd have the chance to make it big.
"It's always been the only career option for me. It was nice going through school knowing that I would have the chance to turn professional straight away afterwards.
"My parents have given me so much support. It would have been nice to win a title with my family there, but they were all watching at home. They'll all be in Sheffield to support me, so I've just got to go out there and try my best.
"I don't need to be putting extra pressure on myself by saying I need to win this for them. I've just got to relax.
"If I lose to Neil, I'll have no complaints. I'll come back next year just as confident and just as strong."
