Snooker
Exclusive: Wu Yize Shocks Judd Trump in Career-Defining Victory
Wu Yize shocks world number one Judd Trump with a 5-3 victory in the English Open quarterfinal, marking the biggest win of his career.
In a shock result at the 2024 BetVictor English Open, 20-year-old Chinese sensation Wu Yize has taken down the world's top-ranked player, Judd Trump, in a thrilling 5-3 quarterfinal victory.
Rising Star Trumps the World Number One
The rising star, who continues to turn heads in the snooker world, is now set for only his second-ever professional semi-final – his first being a loss to Trump at the 2023 Wuhan Open.
Despite having the reigning world number one as his opponent, Wu showed nerves of steel, shrugging off the weight of expectation with a composed performance.
"I didn't do anything special," Wu told SportsBoom.com through his translator.
"At that time, I felt that I was under a lot of pressure. I should have ended the match 5-2. Then I thought too much about that game and wanted to win. I gave the opponent [Judd Trump] a chance to breathe. But it was okay later. I still withstood the pressure."
Revenge from Saudi
This wasn't the first time Wu had faced Trump in recent memory. He narrowly lost to him at the Saudi Arabia Masters but, rather than dwell on that result, Wu focused on the present and delivered when it counted most.
“I didn’t think too much. I think his performance was not as good as mine. Then I think as long as I don't have too many problems in my heart, I can win the game,” Wu added.
"My opponent didn't play well at the beginning that day. But later, I think he played at a very high level.”
“He is not unbeatable.”
Image credit: World Snooker Tour (WST)
The Biggest Win of His Career?
For Wu, this victory was personal. After coming up short in three previous meetings against Trump, the young talent knew this match was his moment to make a statement.
"Yes, this game is actually very important to me. I actually wanted to beat him today because after all, we have played against each other three times and I didn’t win. Last time in Saudi Arabia, which was just around the corner. I think I still don’t have enough experience. I really want to win this game."
Having won the World Snooker Tour's Rookie of the Season award in 2022, Wu's rapid rise continues to gather momentum.
However, despite his recent success, the Chinese star remains grounded about his future prospects.
“Well, I am not sure now. I don’t think too much. I think the players who can enter this stage are not bad. You need to do well to improve yourself. I don’t think too much. Yes, I think I performed well."
The ‘Frontline’ with His Father
Additionally, Yize credits his father, who travels with him to every game around the world, for his success. Despite occasional disagreements, their bond is strong, with his father always by his side, helping him study and improve his game.
“He is a very big help. Most of the time he is at the frontline with me to study the game of snooker. Often, we get into arguments but in general we have a very deep relationship.”
Embracing the Semi-Final Challenge
Looking ahead to the semi-final, Wu is ready to embrace the challenge of the longer ‘best-of-11’ format. Fearless on the big stage, he’s relishing the opportunity to go the distance.
"You must overcome it. Even if you don’t like it, I like it because you want to go to the end of every game. It must be a long game."
Confidence seems to come naturally to Wu, who entered the tournament with the mentality of winning it all. That belief carried him through the quarterfinal, and it will be his driving force going into the semi-final.
“I have always had this goal in mind, but when you are actually on the table, you can’t put too much pressure on yourself, right? Just take it one step at a time and do your best in the moment. No matter which opponent you face tomorrow, you may have more rest time than them."
As for his preparation for the semi-final, Wu is sticking to his routine.
"I’ll go back to my room, call my family and then practise in the evening," he concluded.
With a massive win under his belt and a shot at the title within reach, Wu Yize is proving that he’s not just a rising star – he’s ready to take on the world.
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