Judd Trump encountered a peculiar snooker mix-up during his match against John Higgins at the Wuhan Open, where he had to pause the game after realizing he was using the wrong cue. The unusual incident unfolded during their last-16 clash in China, with Trump leading 3-1 when they returned to the arena after a mid-session break.
Upon stepping up to the table to break off, the world No 1 informed the match referee, “This isn’t my cue.” The match was momentarily stopped while Trump waited for his correct cue to be brought to the table. Higgins seemed to find humour in the situation as he chuckled along with the unexpected turn of events.
Trump explained to his opponent that there had been a mix-up with another player’s cue on the practice table, mentioning a confusion with “Ben” – presumably referring to fellow English player Ben Woollaston, who was scheduled to play China’s Long Zehuang in the last 16. After clarifying the situation, Trump apologized to Higgins for the delay.
Quickly regaining his focus, Trump went on to win the frame with a half-century, extending his lead to 4-1 in the best-of-nine match. Higgins responded impressively with a 126 clearance, but Trump’s strong performance ultimately secured him a 5-2 victory. Trump’s next opponent in the quarter-finals will be determined between Chris Wakelin and Ding Junhui.
In other results from the Wuhan Open, Shaun Murphy and Jack Lisowski have also advanced to the final eight stage. However, Kyren Wilson was eliminated after a closely contested final-frame encounter with China’s Xiao Guodong in the second round. Despite Wilson’s back-to-back centuries giving him momentum, Xiao clinched the decisive frame with a long-range pink, sealing a 5-4 win. Xiao will now face Barry Hawkins, who defeated Stan Moody 5-3.
Reflecting on his victory over Wilson, Xiao expressed his determination to perform well in front of his fans and family in China, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and patient for his opportunities on the table. The competitive spirit at the Wuhan Open continues to drive players to deliver their best performances as they progress through the tournament.