Judd Trump claimed the Shanghai Masters title with an 11-6 victory over Kyren Wilson, signalling a return to his dominant best and matching his entire title tally from last season in just the second event of the new campaign.
The world number one produced a series of commanding performances en route to the final, including a 6-4 win over Barry Hawkins, a 6-0 demolition of John Higgins, and a 10-6 victory over world champion Wu Yize. In the final on Sunday, Trump faced tougher conditions but still overcame Wilson to secure the trophy.
Confidence boost after quiet season
Trump, who won just one title last season (the German Masters), believes the Shanghai victory is the perfect confidence boost after an underwhelming end to the previous campaign. He previously won the Shanghai Masters in 2024, a season in which he also captured the UK Championship and the Saudi Arabia Masters.
“I think the last time I won Shanghai I had a great season after that,” Trump told WST. “You need to be winning events like this to test yourself against the best but it also gives you the most confidence as well. I think if I am to have a great season it was important I got off to a good start. I’ve done that now I just need to do the rest.”
Dominant display against Higgins
Trump’s last-16 match against John Higgins was a standout performance, with breaks of 97, 60, 53, 152, 128, and 102. Higgins failed to score a point in five of the six frames.
The final was less spectacular in terms of century breaks, with Trump managing six half-centuries and a high break of 82, but he was pleased to win in a different manner. He was also delighted to beat Wilson, who had enjoyed a strong 2024/25 season against him, winning three finals and a Masters semi-final.
“It was a good win, it was a tough game compared to the other ones,” said Trump. “The other ones I was in full flow. The table played a bit more difficult in the final and that’s why the standard maybe wasn’t quite as good. Any win against him is good for me because he’s beaten me in the last few finals. So it was nice to start the season in that kind of manner and get one over him.”
New equipment and upcoming challenges
Trump has been using new tips this season, which he believes are already paying off. “I’ve put a lot of work in on the practice table, with new tips that I’m trying to get used to. Vortex Tips,” he said. “I’ve been spending the off-season trying to get more spin because when you come to Shanghai it’s a bit heavier and trickier to get the feel of the table. It seemed to be paying off, in the first few games. I played as good as I have done for a while.”
Next up for Trump is the China Open, starting on Saturday in Taiyuan, where he begins his campaign on Sunday against Noppon Saengkham.
Wilson's perspective
Wilson made a strong effort to defend his title, beating Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, and Zhao Xintong before falling to Trump. He rued a missed chance in the sixth frame, where he missed an easy ball on 66 to go 3-3, allowing Trump to step in and make 67 to pinch the frame, before opening up a 7-3 lead after the first session.
“It should really have been 5-5 after the first session,” Wilson said. “That is how good Judd Trump is. If you give him a chance he will punish you and when he smells blood he goes for the kill. I made it too difficult tonight, but I kept fighting.”
Wilson will face Irish talent Aaron Hill on Monday in Taiyuan. Despite his Shanghai Masters win last year not leading to sustained success in ranking events, his early form this season suggests he may avoid a repeat of that frustrating campaign.
