Bullish Trump targets domination of snooker after UK triumph

Judd Trump has warned the snipers among his fellow players that he feels ready to dominate snooker after a stunning 10-8 victory over Mark Allen in Sunday’s exhilarating UK Championship final in York.

The 22-year-old Bristolian sensation felt affronted by even mild criticism from within the game during his run to the biggest title of his life at the Barbican Centre and wants to ram his critics’ words down their throats, with the 2012 Masters and World Championship titles in his sights.

And, ominously, Trump has claimed he was only playing in third gear over the past week. “A few players I’ve beaten in York have criticised me but they all know my weaknesses and my strengths and if they still can’t beat me like that, when I’m not playing great, then if I start playing well hopefully I’ll beat them easier,” Trump said.

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“Before this tournament I said no-one could really dominate the game, but playing this week has probably changed my mind. Having not played great all week and still pulled off the wins I have, it’s just going to bring more confidence. A few of the players are getting on a bit now and I think there’s big gaps for younger players to come through.”

Trump admits there’s still room for improvement in his game. “To beat the players I have playing the way I did is a real boost because a lot of them played well and I still managed to beat them quite easily,” he added.

“I just like to prove them wrong. They always go on about how I’m just potting and my positioning isn’t great, but if they can’t beat me like this, imagine if I get my positioning better. They all know my weaknesses and if they still can’t beat me it’s their own fault.”

Trump, who began the season well outside the top 16, has jumped to fifth in the world rankings and has been installed as bookmakers’ favourite to win the World Championship in April.

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