Judd Trump, as expected, thumped Yan Bingtao for a place in the next stage of the World Championships. The world number one waxed lyrical about the youngster. Juddernaut went even as far as tipping him to be a world champion sometime in the future. Trump must have been impressed with how calculated and composed the 20-year-old while challenging the most successful snooker player in the last and present calendar year.
In Trump’s exact words, he said: “he (Yan) is very mature for his age and he doesn’t go for anything stupid. He takes his time and he has certainly got a chance of being world champion in the future.”
He added that it was good to see players come through and challenge the toppers in the game. Trump iterated that this would come the big players on their toes. He suggested that this was the way to go rather than have players in their 40s winning all the time.
Yan’s age is what makes his achievements all the more impressive. Six years ago, the player was lauded for being the youngest winner at the Amateur World Snooker Championship. Last summer, the youngster also clinched the title at the Riga Masters, becoming the youngest player since his compatriot, Ding Junhui, to have his hands on that title.
The world number 16 saw off Elliot Slessor to win his first round-tie. It was a comfortable 10-7 win, fending off a possible comeback from Slessor. He is by miles the most talented of the latest Chinese crop growing in the game.
According to Trump, this generation of Chinese players would live up to the billing. The Bristolian opined that the Chinese youngsters were very talented, and together with folks from the UK, could dictate the pace of the game.
In his exact words, he said: “The future of the game is in really good hands with these Chinese players, and in the future there will certainly be a more even ratio of players from China and the UK.”
Trump was sure a difficult opponent for Yan Bingtao, considering that the former has already won a record six ranking tournaments this term. However, he will take solace in the fact that the world number one found him to be a worthy opponent.
Written by: Roland Arum
