Judd Trump beat Zhoa Xintong by 6-2 yesterday and booked his place in the 2025 Champion of Champions in the process. Here is the report shared by WST:

Trump Hits Zhao For Six To Reach Final

Judd Trump reeled off six frames in a row to beat Zhao Xintong 6-2 and reach the final of the Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions for the sixth time.

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The battle between the world number one and World Champion in Leicester was dominated by Trump as he recovered from a slow start to set up a final clash on Sunday against Mark Selby or Neil Robertson. Trump has won just one of his previous five finals in this event, lifting the trophy in 2021, and the 36-year-old has the chance to double that tally.

He will also be aiming to win his first title in 11 months, since last year’s Victorian Plumbing UK Championship. Trump was runner-up at the Northern Ireland Open three weeks ago, losing 9-8 to Jack Lisowski, and now has another opportunity to end his barren streak.

China’s Zhao took the first two frames tonight with breaks of 50 and 72 but Trump won the next five with top runs of 68, 73, 77 and 66 for 5-2. In frame eight, the Englishman was in first and made 38 before missing a red to centre, but Zhao’s counter ended on 30 when he failed to convert a tricky red to a top corner. That ended his hopes as Trump sealed the result with a break of 63.

He said: “From 2-0 I felt I controlled the game. I scored heavily and didn’t miss much. I am happy to be in the final because I am still not 100%, I’m probably more like 10%. I have changed my tip from brass to titanium this season and I am really struggling. I don’t feel comfortable or fluent, I really have to take care over every shot. When I play my best I know I will win nine times out of ten, but over the last few years I have learned how to win more often when I am not at my best.“

Zhao looked tired, which is not really surprising as he only very recently returned from China and probably his body isn’t fully back on “UK time” just yet. In such circumstances, as long as you keep yourself busy you’re more or less ok, but when you stop, and sit down, that’s when fatigue really hits you! Not taking anything away from Judd who played very well once he got going.