It was an atmosphere so serene, you could hear a pin drop. A hushed crowd resides in the conclusion to the inaugural European Series as we all remotely watched the headline players of the current generation clash in what was the best final this tournament has seen. Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson provided an epic that went to the wire for the first time in this tournament’s final history that left us all thinking the same thing…why couldn’t this match have been longer?
Breakdown
It was a heavy scoring start to the match in the first three frames where a fairly simple pink off the spot cost Wilson as Trump punished with a 125 break. This included an impressive double on his third red. Trump almost continued this storm with a brilliant long opening red off the cushion which in my opinion, was the shot of the match. If an audience was present, this definitely would have yielded a positive reaction. Unfortunately, a positional shot gone slightly wrong led to a missed green with the rest from Trump which Wilson pounced on with 115. However, a misjudged dump shot by Wilson in Frame 3 left Trump the chance to make a 144, which included 14 blacks and 1 brown.
Frame 4 was one of my favourites of the match and was the first to see some back-and-forth action. Trump started with a 45 but unexpectedly missed another colour with the rest. This left Wilson in to make a 56 but missed a mid-distance yellow. The tactical battle that took place on the yellow was an exciting yet refreshing change of pace. It was ultimately won by Wilson with a brilliant long pot, not too dissimilar to the opening red by Trump in Frame 2.
The following frame was a scrappier affair with neither player making a sizeable, frame-winning contribution. It was eventually won by Wilson, thanks to a fluke brown which he was able to pot despite being partially snookered; which could have been a potential turning point in the match. However, much like Trump has been doing all season, he’s been proving that he can play with his back against the wall as he retaliated with a 123 in Frame 6. Despite not winning in one visit, Trump established formidable control in the deciding frame and wins the match with the crowd going wild.
Afterthoughts
A short, but sweet contest; Gibraltar witnessed the best final it has seen in its short history. Given the brief best-of-7 nature, it would still be up there with the better finals of the season. The way that both the players were performing on the day would have made a best-of-19 far more enjoyable but nevertheless, Wilson and Trump left me wanting more by producing a tremendous battle that a live audience would have appreciated.
Wilson reaches his third final of the season which adds to a further impressive two semi-finals for his campaign so far. This was the first final since his near whitewash to Murphy in the Welsh Open and he brought out the kind of form that he hoped to produce then. Wilson was able to score and win the scrappy affairs on the day which may have benefitted him if the match was a longer format, but found himself against a highly motivated serial winner at the top of his game.
This result puts Wilson out of reach for participation in the Tour Championship which provides relief for Higgins as he holds the No. 8 spot. Considering that only the World Championship remains (potentially), Wilson will need a deep venture if he wants to retain at least a Top 10 position in the world rankings.
As for Trump, he created a little bit of history as he becomes the first and only player in snooker history to win six ranking events in a single season. Regardless of what happens at the Tour and WSC, Trump has secured his mantle as the seasons and worlds best while he goes on to try and record snookers best ever season with 97 centuries and counting, with two events remaining. Trump knows what he has achieved this season and is therefore, more relaxed; and I don’t think there is a more dangerous opponent right now than a relaxed Judd Trump.
I felt a little bad for Trump because he had to celebrate this historic achievement to a ghost crowd however, he showed his sense of humour and character as he showcased the trophy and thanked the crowd as if they were there. This victory proved to be quite lucrative as Trump wins £50,000 for the win, £150,000 for the European Series bonus (beating Robertson’s ES total by £15k) and £5,000 for the high break prize.
Like this Short? Click here to read: Present vs. Future? Players Championship Final 2020 – Shorts Thoughts
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