Judd Trump overcame a cue mix-up to secure a 5-2 victory over John Higgins, earning himself a spot in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open. Trump, the world’s number one snooker player and defending champion, found himself in a peculiar situation when he inadvertently returned to the table with another player’s cue after the mid-session interval.
Noticing the error right before the fifth frame was about to begin, Trump alerted the referee and was initially told to continue playing while his cue was retrieved. He then briefly returned to his seat before getting up to inform Higgins about the mix-up. Trump explained to Higgins that his cue got mixed up with Ben Woollaston’s cue, resulting in the confusion.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Trump remained focused and composed, going on to take a commanding 4-1 lead with a break of 56. Higgins responded with a brilliant clearance of 126, marking his 1,005th career century, but Trump sealed the match by winning the following frame 67-0. This win marked Trump’s 14th consecutive quarter-final appearance this year.
In other matches at the tournament, Jack Lisowski breezed past Wu Yize with a dominant 5-0 victory, showcasing his form with consistent half-century breaks and a final break of 117. Shaun Murphy also advanced to the quarter-finals after a thrilling encounter with Ali Carter, culminating in a last-frame decider that Murphy clinched with a decisive 68 break.
The Wuhan Open continues to deliver intense matches and surprises, as top players battle it out for a coveted spot in the later stages of the tournament. Trump’s ability to overcome the cue confusion and secure a solid win against Higgins demonstrates his resilience and skill on the snooker table, setting the stage for exciting matches to come in the remainder of the competition.