Judd Trump Secures UK Crown, Defeats Hawkins 10-8

Judd Trump secured his second UK Championship title with a hard-fought 10-8 victory over Barry Hawkins at the Barbican in York. This victory brought Trump’s tally of ranking titles to 30 placing him behind only Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and John Higgins. Despite leading 9-6, Trump faced a spirited fightback from Hawkins, who reduced the gap to 9-8 and almost forced a decider with a dramatic performance in the 18th frame.

Trump admitted he felt extremely tense, fearing a crushing defeat. “Every shot left me snookered and I thought, ‘this could be the worst loss of all time,'” he shared, expressing relief when the match finally ended. Trump, who also won the UK Championship in 2011, now holds five Triple Crown titles—matching Alex Higgins but trailing O’Sullivan by 18. He entered the final session with a 5-3 lead and extended it to 7-5 with two solid breaks.

Hawkins aiming for his first Triple Crown title, responded with runs of 75 and 82 but was unable to complete the comeback. Trump’s 133 break, his highest of the tournament, proved crucial. This victory marks Trump’s third tournament win this season alongside two other final appearances, solidifying his position as world number one. He also won the Saudi Arabia Masters earlier this season.

For Hawkins, reaching the final at 45 was an impressive achievement, despite falling short. He defeated top players like O’Sullivan and Allen on his way to the final earning £100,000 as the runner-up. Judd Trump remains focused on his career goals, stating he’s still hungry for success and eager to maintain his dominance in ranking events.