Judd Trump fuming as rival Mark Selby snatches No 1 ranking after British Open defeat
BBC Breakfast: Dan recalls taking his wife to watch snooker
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
A frustrated Judd Trump insisted there was “nothing I can do” as he relinquished his title as the best snooker player in the world for the first time in two years. His 3-2 defeat to Elliot Slessor in the last 32 of the British Open means Mark Selby will replace him as the world number one after the tournament.
That is despite the Jester from Leicester losing his own match 3-0 to Ali Carter at the Morningside Arena in his hometown.
It is Selby’s World Championship win earlier this year which has propelled him back to the pinnacle of the rankings for the first time since he was usurped in March 2019 after four years at the top.
The prize money and points he gained by winning his fourth world title at the Crucible in April are worth so much that Trump’s 14 ranking title victories in the last two-and-a-half years have not been enough for the 32-year-old to keep his crown.
The Bristolian had complained about the conditions at the British Open after his first round victory over Mitchell Mann, and clearly struggled again with a highest break of just 33.
JUST IN: British Open results LIVE: Snooker scores and updates
His fate was confirmed as world number 49 Slessor sank a tricky red into the middle pocket in the deciding frame to progress.
“There’s is nothing I can do,” Trump said after the match. “I’ve won enough tournaments to be world number one.”
Even before crashing out of the tournament, the reigning World Grand Prix champion had complained about the “fault with the ranking system” which had put his status as the best in the world in jeopardy.
DON’T MISS
Stephen Hendry has Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby theory [OPINION]
O’Sullivan withdrawal angers players as beaten star replaces Rocket [NEWS]
Jimmy White broke down as he described ‘worst three months’ of life [NEWS]
“It’s a tough one really because I think I’ve performed a miracle to be number one, not winning the Worlds in the last two years, with how heavy the ranking points are favoured in that tournament,” he said.
“I’d be disappointed, not that I don’t think Mark deserves it, but quite clearly I’ve been the best player over the last two years. So for him to overtake me is probably a little bit of a fault with the ranking system.”
He went on to say it would be a bitter pill to swallow if he lost his crown over a best-of-five match, which is exactly what has now happened.
Despite being dumped out of the competition himself, Selby was grateful to the fans who had travelled to the Morningside Arena to cheer him on and wished conqueror Ali Carter luck for the rest of the competition.
Source: Read Full Article