Terrific Judd Trump topples Jack Lisowski to retain German Masters crown
Trump became the first player to successfully defend the German Masters title
Judd Trump romped to the German Masters title after a comprehensive 9-2 rout of Jack Lisowski in the final in Milton Keynes.
The world number one landed the top prize of £80,000 after becoming the first player to successfully defend the crown since the inaugural event in 2011.
Trump hit a top break of 119 and a further four half-centuries at the Marshall Arena on the way to capturing the Brandon Parker Trophy and his fourth ranking title of the season – taking his career tally to 21.
This was the first time in 26 years that successive ranking event finals had been contested by the same two players, with the Ace prevailing a 10-7 winner in the World Grand Prix showpiece before Christmas.
And his greater experience of the big stage was evident as he quickly stamped his authority on the 14th meeting between the players; hitting breaks of 56, 65 and 72 on the way to opening up a commanding 5-1 lead.
Appearing in his fifth ranking event final, Lisowski had failed to progress beyond the last 32 of the German Masters prior to this week.
The world number 14 squandered a great opportunity to pull a frame back in the next; missing a thin cut on the blue to the corner pocket and following a tactical battle, Trump knocked in a tremendous long pink and developed the black, which he sunk for 6-1.
The Bristolian, who recovered from 5-1 down to squeeze past Barry Hawkins 6-5 in the semi-finals, maintained his dominance with a run of 65 moving him six frames clear at the conclusion of the afternoon session.
Seeking a 15th triumph from his last 18 ranking finals, the world number one edged another close frame at the start of the evening on the colours to move to the brink of victory.
Lisowski rallied with a couple of runs of 53, but Trump saved the best until last; producing a stunning 119 to seal the deal.
“It was a tough final and probably a little bit flattering to be 9-2, to be honest,” he told Eurosport. “There were a lot of close frames that could have gone either way.
“It’s my sixth ranking event final already this season. I just keep going away and putting the hard work in. You can’t give yourself any time off.
“I scraped through this week; it wasn’t pretty at times and I think it was down to being mentally strong.
“I know how hard I’ve worked to put myself in this position where I was able to get over the line in most of the games.
“Jack’s improving all the time. He looks like he’s finally arrived. It’s only a matter of time before he wins a big event.”
Lisowski added: “It’s been a great week for me. My game’s going in the right direction.
“There’s a lot coming up and it’s a good time to be hitting form.
“I’m definitely doing that and hopefully, I can nick a title soon – if I don’t keep running into Judd!”