Rolf Kalb Blog: Kyren Wilson’s professionalism and Judd Trump’s helplessness at the Northern Ireland Open

Like me, many others probably felt the same yesterday. I rubbed my eyes a lot, especially in the afternoon, and still couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I never expected Kyren Wilson to take a 7-0 lead against Judd Trump in the Northern Ireland final.

Judd Trump’s helplessness almost shocked me. The drama began in the second frame at the latest, which Kyren Wilson won even though he already needed snooker. After that, all the dams broke for Trump. Nothing fit anymore. Although he still occasionally punched a spectacular red ball, he had nothing to gain from it. Either he had no possible continuation or the position wasn’t right.

The cue ball seemed like a stubborn donkey to Judd Trump. That wasn’t bad luck. Jimmy White hit the nail on the head with his analysis in the Eurosport studio: With Trump, the timing was completely gone. First things went badly, and then there was just a lot of uncertainty. He looked like a heap of misery in his chair.

It proves Kyren Wilson’s professionalism that he didn’t let this unsettle him. He certainly expected a hot fight. But he did his thing coolly. This is not always as easy as you might think.

In the evening it was the expected duel at eye level. But by then the damage was already done. And the 119 with which Kyren Wilson made the victory perfect, you first have to imitate him. After Trump’s 143 in the previous frame, the pressure had increased again.

It also shows Kyren Wilson’s professionalism that he did not take the preparation for the evening session lightly despite his clear lead. He went through the whole procedure and procedures like he did before every session. He’s just a complete professional.

I had already written in my blog after Wilson’s World Cup triumph that the “Warrior” would be a good world champion and a worthy snooker ambassador (except for Ferrari dealers). He proved that again with his second triumph of the season after the Xi’an Grand Prix. His world title was no coincidence.

In the season after the first World Cup title, only five of Kyren Wilson’s players managed to win more than one tournament: Stephen Hendry, John Parrott, John Higgins, Mark Selby and Judd Trump himself. It’s quite an exclusive club.

Yesterday we saw that Judd Trump is not a machine after all. But he will get over the bitter defeat. At the end of the final he showed a lot of morale. For me, he remains Mister Reliable: He reached at least the quarterfinals in all the tournaments he played in the 2024 calendar year. This consistency has given him a clear lead in the world rankings (not to mention the half a million pounds from Saudi Arabia).

“Rampensau” Wilson delights fans in the semi-final against Pang