Northern Ireland Open 2020 - 'Judd Trump's potting unlike anything we've seen before' - Jimmy White

Updated 23/11/2020 at 10:14 GMT

Jimmy White pays tribute to Judd Trump after his sensational triumph at the Northern Ireland Open. For the third time in succession, Trump edged Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-7 in the final. O’Sullivan briefly threatened a comeback, winning four frames out of five at one stage, but Trump delivered in the 16th frame to wrap up victory.

Jimmy White and Judd Trump

Image credit: Eurosport

Judd Trump became the first player to win a ranking event three years in a row, since Stephen Hendry in 1996, when he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Northern Ireland Open on Sunday and snooker great Jimmy White cannot believe what he has seen from the world number one.

The defending champion held a 5-3 lead heading into the evening session and looked to be cruising to victory after quickly opening up a four-frame advantage.

But O’Sullivan rallied to make it 7-5 and then 8-7 to hint at an improbable comeback, only for Trump to trample on those hopes as a fine 89 break got him over the line.

World Championship

'Superhuman' O'Sullivan, 'indestructible' Trump - White and McManus preview World Championship

7 hours ago

"I was sat there 8-5 up, thinking ‘I must get a chance to win’," Trump told Eurosport afterwards.

And then it’s 8-7 and he's 30 in front, and I’m thinking ‘oh god, I might lose here without potting a ball’.

In fact, Trump closed out victory in fine fashion, and it led to snooker legend White paying tribute to the Bristolian's talent with the pair together in the Eurosport studio after the match.

"He is a phenomenal player," White said, looking over to the 31-year-old champion.

"The more he wins the more he wants to win and the more he wants to practise. Sometimes when you're playing Judd Trump and he's potting balls, there is nowhere you can put him at safety.

Judd Trump's potting is absolutely phenomenal. Next to none. Unlike anything we have seen before.

Trump's phenomenal potting 'unlike anything we've seen before' - White

"There were times when we all thought Ronnie had put the balls safe, but two shots later he's banging balls in with everything open."

Trump returns to action on Thursday evening as Eurosport's comprehensive snooker coverage continues with all the best action from the UK Championship.