English Open 2023: Judd Trump ‘capable of brilliance’ after stunning fightback to sink John Higgins

Judd Trump admitted to knowing he is “capable of brilliance” after his blistering comeback win to stun John Higgins in the semi-finals of the English Open.

Trump cut a frustrated figure at times at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday, as he was second best by a distance.

He trailed 3-1 at the interval and was staring defeat in the face at 5-2 down in the race to six.

Reflecting on his performance in the Eurosport studio, Trump said: “I know it is in there and know I am capable of brilliance at times.

“I tried to go out in the second session and relax a bit more.”

Trump admitted to looking for a sign from his opponent that there was a weakness to exploit.

“He had a couple of chances at 5-2 and after that I said I was going to go for everything and everything went in,” Trump said.

“I needed to see John miss a couple and he did. After that I went for my long shots and they started going in, and I was splitting the pack as if I was practicing.

“It is easy to do it when the pressure is off. But to do it again in the final frame, that is when you are proud of yourself.

“I told my brother in the interval that I was feeling tense, and I said I was going to go for it and he told me that is when I play my best.”

Looking ahead to the final, Trump: “For me, it is about ‘should I be out of the tournament, should I be on the way to China?’ So I am just going to enjoy it and play another final.”

In the second frame, Trump was digging down to get some action off red – but totally miscued and jumped the object ball.

He was seen fiddling with his tip, and admitted after the match that it has not been in a good state for some time.

“My tip is terrible,” Trump said. “It has got a massive chunk out of it. How I am still in the tournament is incredible.”

Asked if he would look to replace the tip, Trump said: “I have got no time.

“The tip was terrible, I came here and Matt Selt cut it down a bit. But when you play like that, who cares?”

Trump will play the winner of Zhang Anda and Liu Hongyu in Sunday’s final