Judd Trump has fired a warning shot to his UK Championship rivals after securing a dramatic last-frame victory over John Higgins in the last 16, claiming he’s yet to hit top form in the tournament.
The 2019 world champion edged past Higgins in a tense encounter that culminated in a decisive 106 break to seal his quarter-final spot.
Despite showing moments of brilliance, Trump remained modest about his performance.
“I haven’t played my best so far,” Trump told BBC Sport, suggesting his opponents could face an even tougher challenge as the tournament progresses.
Judd Trump has fired a warning shot to his UK Championship rivals after securing a dramatic last-frame victory over John Higgins in the last 16, claiming he’s yet to hit top form in the tournament
PA
The match began cautiously, with neither player managing a break over 40 in the opening four frames.
Trump found his rhythm after the interval, crafting a superb 111 break to lead 3-2.
Higgins showed his resilience, taking control at 4-3 with a commanding 106 break after Trump’s unfortunate in-off.
JUST IN: Snooker row erupts at UK Championships as Steve Davis makes urgent demand to tournament bosses
Judd Trump edged a close showdown with John Higgins to make the last eight of the UK Championship
PA
The momentum shifted again as Trump produced breaks of 69 and 75, though Higgins forced a decider with a half-century in the tenth frame.
In the final frame, despite an early mistake, Trump capitalised on a Higgins error to construct a match-winning 106 break.
Trump reflected on the match’s early cautious pace, telling BBC Sport: “In the first four frames, we just showed a lot of respect for each other, didn’t want to give easy chances.”
READ MORE: ‘Roy Keane put me in a headlock after I insulted him – I was nearly choked out’
He explained his tactical shift by adding: “After (the interval) I just tried to make it a bit more attacking, a bit more free-flowing and I think we both benefited from that in the end.”
Despite his victory, Trump remained grounded about his form, however.
“There are a lot of players who are playing good stuff, I am not one of them, but I am still in the event, so I still have time to improve,” he said.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
“So probably when the real pressure is on, that is probably when I produce my best stuff.”
In other matches, Stuart Bingham surrendered a commanding 5-1 lead against Zhang Anda, who mounted a remarkable comeback.
Zhang, who had achieved a maximum break in his first round, fought back with an 81 break before levelling with runs of 70 and 108.
Judd Trump believes he will only get better as he targets glory at the UK Championship
PA
Kyren Wilson progressed to the quarter-finals with a convincing 6-2 win over Chris Wakelin.
Michael Holt produced an impressive comeback from 5-2 down against Jak Jones as he continued his impressive form in York.
Holt, who came through four qualifying rounds, sealed his victory with an 86 break in the deciding frame.