Judd Trump irked after 'unlucky' loss to 'slow' Neil Robertson at Champion of Champions
Today at 02:58 AM
Judd Trump felt he was very unlucky to lose to Neil Robertson at Champion of Champions on Wednesday night, unhappy with the ‘slow play’ of the Australian.
Trump had hammered Ding Junhui 4-0 earlier on Wednesday, while Robertson edged Ali Carter 4-3 to set-up the group final between the two former world champions.
It was an unusual clash between the two usually fluent, heavy scorers, with some very long frames and prolonged safety exchanges.
Robertson looked good in taking a 3-1 lead, but the second half of the match was very lengthy and undoubtedly the Thunder from Down Under did get the run of the balls at times, which clearly irked Trump.
‘I thought I was very unlucky,’ Trump told ITV4. ‘To be honest I think Neil knows that he didn’t desere to win like that but that happens. He put in a good spell to go 3-1 up, then after that he had quite a few chances, missed quite a few long balls and got safe every time. It’s just one of those days.’
The world number one felt that, purposefully or not, Robertson slowed the play down and while it worked on Wednesday, he feels he needs to speed up again to play his best.
‘It was a tough game, it was very slow,’ he said. ‘I love Neil but there was a lot of slow play and he’s a much better player when he just gets on with it.
‘Hopefully he gets on with it for the rest of the tournament, it would be nice to see him go and win it again, he’s a great player. It just got a bit bogged down out there, I think.’
Robertson praised Trump’s battling spirit in what became a slugfest at times and was not fussed how the big win came, punching the air after shaking hands with his beaten opponent.
‘Incredible game, Judd showed all his qualities there. The great champion he’s been over the past 18 months, well his whole career really,’ said Robertson. ‘His safety play, his discipline, everything was incredible. I matched it with him, I stayed with him, kept my discipline as well.
‘That blue is definitely one of the highlight shots of my career, in terms of the pressure and everything that was at stake.’
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry agreed with Trump that Robertson was lucky, but was impressed with how he capitalised at the death.
‘He had lots of chances, it was a great blue he potted and great pink, but he was hovering,’ said Hendry. ‘But for an unbelievable run of the balls, it would have been 5-5 and then who knows who would have won? All credit to him, he held himself together for the last four pots but I think he was lucky.’
Robertson has booked his spot in a Saturday semi-final against three-time world champion Mark Williams, a match he is relishing against a legend of the game.
‘Mark’s had a really good season last year and he’s started well this time as well,’ said the Aussie. ‘I always enjoy playing Mark, get along with him really well.
‘Young kid from Australia to be competing against Mark WIlliams in major semi-finals, I never would have believed that. To get another chane to play a great, great player is fantastic.’
