Judd Trump admits he doesn't have a lot left as epic winning run continues

27/10/2023 08:07

Judd Trump has extended his winning run to 17 matches as he keeps his hopes alive of winning three straight ranking events, but admits he does not have much left in the tank.

The 34-year-old is into the quarter-finals of the Northern Ireland Open after a dramatic 4-3 win over Noppon Saengkham on Thursday night and will take on Stephen Maguire in the last eight on Friday night.

It has been a sensational few weeks for the former world champion, winning the English Open, Wuhan Open and now bidding to claim the Northern Ireland Open for a fourth time.

Only four players in snooker history – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ding Junhui – have won three ranking titles on the spin and Trump is well aware of the history he is chasing as he battles on in Belfast.

‘It's very tough off the back of a couple of long weeks, I don't know how I'm still going,’ said Trump after downing Noppon late on Thursday night. ‘It's so draining playing this many games.

‘Every day I wake up hoping I'm not flat and I'm still excited. I go out there hoping the crowd will help and I'm trying to do it for my family who have always supported me. There is not a lot left in the tank but I am trying to see out the week and then have a break.

‘This might be the only time I get the chance to win three in a row because it's hard enough to win one, let alone two and then be in another quarter-final.

‘I had to dig in tonight and luckily Noppon missed a couple of crucial balls and I got my chance in the end. When you're in the winning habit it's easier to make those breaks in the last frame.’