World Championship 2025: Judd Trump delighted to beat Shaun Murphy, but concerned by having to dig deep so early at the Crucible
World No. 1 Judd Trump appeared to be cruising into the quarter-finals of the World Championship at the Crucible when leading 12-6, but had to withstand a fightback from Shaun Murphy before prevailing 13-10 in Sheffield on Monday afternoon. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Judd Trump has admitted to having mixed feelings following his win over Shaun Murphy in the second round of the World Championship.
When the draw was made, the glamour tie of the second round – provided there were no shocks – was the meeting between 2005 winner Murphy and 2019 champion Trump.
Both eased through their opening matches to set up a blockbuster tie, and it was Trump who advanced.
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Trump held sway in the first two sessions and appeared to be cruising into the last eight when winning the first two frames on Monday afternoon to lead 12-6 in the race to 13.
However, Murphy reeled off four frames on the spin with some inspired snooker but, when put under the pump, Trump responded with a break of 58 to book his place in the quarter-finals for the 10th time in his career.
Murphy’s rally put Trump under pressure, and the world No. 1 said he would draw confidence from the win but that he did not want to dig deep so early in the tournament.
“It was an extremely difficult draw, before the tournament it was the stand-out tie that everyone was looking at, if we both got through the first round,” Trump said. “You don’t really want to be putting in so much effort to get to a quarter-final. But I take a lot of confidence from beating Shaun in that way.
“In the end it was tremendous to get over the line.”
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In all probability, Trump will face Luca Brecel in the last eight as the Belgian holds a 12-4 lead over Ding Junhui, and he feels his safety will have to be sharp.
“Luca is playing really well, I know what he is capable of,” Trump said. “If I play him my safety will need to be good enough to keep him out. I’ll need all of my experience.”
Sunday evening saw Trump make his 100th century of the season to scoop a £100,000 bonus.
There were raucous scenes inside the Crucible when the century was achieved, and Trump said he felt a little sheepish at that moment.
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“The crowd put on an amazing reception,” Trump said. “I was a bit embarrassed to take the applause.
“To achieve it here at the Crucible was so special. But at that moment I knew I was in such a tough game, it was difficult to celebrate. I knew I had to win that last frame of the session to go 10-6 up.
“Now that’s done, I can just concentrate on the tournament because it’s going to be a real battle over the next week.”
People have played unbelievably well against me all season
Murphy felt defeat to Trump was a microcosm of his season.
“It has been the tale of my season to a degree,” Murphy told TNT Sports. “People have played unbelievably well against me all season.
“I’m going to take it as a back-handed compliment that they obviously feel they have to play their best to win, but I am also taking it slightly frustratingly.
“I am going to take a bit of time off and come back stronger next season.”
‘People have played unbelievably well against me all season’ – Murphy reflects on defeat to Trump
Murphy had words of praise for the victor, as he said: “What a champion Judd Trump is, what a world No. 1 Judd Trump is.
“He got one chance after the onslaught that I put him through, he got one chance in the last frame and took it.”
