While he was trailing to the Magician in their earlier round, Trump called on the services of his friend Charlie, who quickly refined the top of his cue. It proved to be the difference as he came from behind and overcame Murphy on a tense deciding frame. Fast forward to this Sunday, snooker legend Stephen Hendry noticed the Ace in the Pack started fiddling with his cue again – replacing the tip.
Speaking on Eurosport with the score at 2-2, Hendry said: “We were looking at it in the green room and I think it is. It looks like a new tip. Maybe he thought the other one was just past its best and it was going to be no good today.
“It’s a risk putting a new tip on the day before a final. But he’s striking the ball well. A couple of deep screw backs he’s done [well]. It was a risk but it might be paying off.”
Against Murphy, Trump suggested he may not have won had his friend Charlie not arrived to fix his cue. He said: “Before that my cueing was all over the place.
« I didn’t know where I was aiming. He shaped the tip and made it more reactive, I was able to get more power when I needed it. »
Considering what Zhao did against John Higgins in his semi-final clash, Trump could not afford anything being out of shape. The Cyclone blew Higgins away, destroying the Scotsman 10-1.
Considering the beating that was given to him, it perhaps was no surprise Higgins backed Zhao to take the Tour Championship. He told reporters: « I think Xintong, » Higgins told reporters.
« The way he plays, and how easy he wins frames, and just the way he goes about the patterns he’s got. I think Xintong is favourite. He’s that special a player, I think.”
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