MANAMA // The name Judd Trump has been bandied about in the snooker world for many years - and he is still only 19 years of age. The young man from Bristol in England became the youngest person to make a 147 when, as a 14-year-old, he achieved a maximum break in an under-16 tournament, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan's 13-year-old record. Here was a young man destined for great things.
He turned professional at 16 and soon became the youngest player to reach the final stages of a ranking event when he qualified for the Welsh Open. Last year he became the youngster player for 14 years to reach the World Championship finals at Sheffield. And just a few short weeks ago he was a semi-finalist in the Grand Prix in Glasgow - beating world champion O'Sullivan along the way. A lot was expected of him here. But, sadly, he failed to live up to his hype yesterday when he was beaten 5-1 by the Northern Irishman Mark Allen, who, compared to young Trump, is a "golden oldie" at 22.
Trump took the opening frame with breaks of 43 and 47 - but lost the next five. He will be disappointed as he could have actually won the match 5-1 as he had wonderful opportunities in all the last four frames. Allen began the third frame with 48 before Trump jumped in, only to fail on 49, allowing his opponent to take it with 31. In the next Trump came from 30-0 but missed when on 58. Allen cleared for 3-1. Trump looked certain to take the fifth frame but erred when his break was on 50 and Allen responded with 69. Victory was completed for the Ulsterman with a 54.
The day's biggest shock came when Michael Judge, from the Republic of Ireland, defeated the world No 7 Ali Carter 5-3. @Email:cwhebell@thenational.ae
