Champion of Champions 2025: Judd Trump admits he is only playing at '10%' as he reaches final with comeback victory over Zhao Xintong
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Updated 15/11/2025 at 00:14 GMT
Judd Trump delivered an emphatic 6–2 comeback victory to wipe out Zhao Xintong’s early advantage and book his spot in a sixth Champion of Champions final at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, where he will face either Neil Robertson or Mark Selby on Sunday. Trump said: "I'm not at 100%, I'm probably at about 10%, so happy to make a final like this when I'm not at my best."
Watch: Trump misses black off the spot to spark Wu's sensational comeback
Video credit: TNT Sports
World No. 1 Judd Trump has issued an ominous warning to his potential final opponent at the Champion of Champions, declaring he is operating at only 10% despite sweeping aside reigning world champion Zhao Xintong 6-2 on Friday night.
Trump mounted an impressive fightback to overturn Zhao’s early lead and secure his place in a sixth Champion of Champions final at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, where he will meet either Neil Robertson or Mark Selby on Sunday.
Reflecting on his performance, the 2021 winner told ITV: "I missed one in the first frame, and he went 2-0 up, but he kind of let me back into it quite easily.
"But after that, I controlled the game, had a few good chances, and scored reasonably heavily.
"I'm not at 100%, I'm probably at about 10%, so happy to make a final like this when I'm not at my best. After the start, I didn't really miss much.
"I don't feel as fluent. I know at my best, nine times out of 10, I'm going to win, but it is about doing it when you are not at your best.
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Wu reminds me so much of the late Paul Hunter - Higgins
Video credit: TNT Sports
"My desire to win is the same, but I don't take it as badly. I'm still trying my best every game, but I try to manage my expectations.
"I don't want to be losing then sitting crying at home. Before, it had all been a bit selfish. But I'll always want to win."
Trump admitted he was still wrestling with issues related to his new cue - problems that were evident early on as Zhao seized the opening frame after a key miss from the Englishman - and then extended his lead with a break of 72.
But Trump, as so often, responded with authority. A composed 68 reduced the deficit, before Zhao’s missed black in the fourth frame allowed him to level the match with a clinical 73. From there, the momentum swung decisively.
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Watch: Wu completes remarkable comeback to send Trump out in Nanjing
Video credit: TNT Sports
A foul from Zhao in the fifth frame handed Trump the lead in the match for the first time, and the world No. 1 made breaks of 77, 66 and 63 to claim a commanding 6–2 victory.
Explaining the difficulties with his cue, Trump said: "Changing from brass to titanium, the ball does not throw whatsoever on this cue, so I'm really struggling.
"The tables are so heavy when we play in China, and even here and across the world now. When I first started as a professional 15 years ago, 20 years ago, the tables were unbelievable.
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"There were only two games a day, you were straight into the last 32. Now you've got five or six games a day. The tables are so heavy that when I get down to aiming, the side doesn't react the same, so I want to be able to hit the same place everywhere around the world.
"At the moment, I'm brilliant in good conditions, but terrible in bad conditions.
"Just when I think I'm getting going and I'm revving up, then I slam the brakes on. I'm just waiting to win three or four frames, and he leaves me a long one. Then I pot that, then I feel like I'm off on a roll. But until then, it's kind of hard work."
Trump will now await the outcome of Saturday’s second semi-final between four-time world champion Selby and two-time Champion of Champions winner Robertson.
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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