Judd Trump claims fantastic fifth ranking title of the season at the Players Championship
Judd Trump secured a record-equalling fifth ranking title of the season at the 2020 Players Championship with a 10-4 victory over Yan Bingtao in the final.
The world number one backed up his triumphs at the International Championship, World Open, Northern Ireland Open and German Masters by scooping the £125,000 top prize in Southport.
He now shares the record with Stephen Hendry, Ding Junhui, Mark Selby and Ronnie O’Sullivan and has a further three events remaining this season to add to his tally.
Trump stormed into a 6-2 lead at the close of play in the afternoon session before withstanding a brief Yan revival to close out a commanding victory.
“It’s amazing to win another event and pick up my fifth ranking title to equal some of the greats,” said Trump, who also claimed this title in 2017.
“It’s been a fantastic week here. I didn’t really know what to expect when coming to a new venue but the crowds have been fantastic and the support has been amazing.
“Yan put me under a lot of pressure and his all-round game is so good for his age.
“I think in the future he’s going to win a lot more events, he’s already doing better than I was at his age so he’s certainly one to look out for.
“It’s been an amazing last two years for me, winning a lot of trophies so just to keep winning is very exciting.”
Yan, appearing in his second ranking final of the season, had his pocket picked in the opening frame as Trump incredibly overturned a break of 70.
Yan did secure the second frame with a break of 55 but only for Trump to reel off five in a row with breaks of 75, 122, 50 and 75 to take command.
The Chinese youngster stopped the rot before the interval with a superb break of 95 to trail 6-2.
He then started the evening session brightly with a break of 77 and dominated frame ten to close the gap to just two adrift.
Trump got back on track emphatically with a break of 109 before adding a break of 68 and dominating frame 13 to move to the verge of victory.
The 30-year-old duly clinched the title with a quick-fire break of 60 to make it eight ranking final wins in a row.
He now leads the Coral Cup standings to put himself in pole position for the £100,000 bonus going into the Tour Championship later this month.
Yan’s run sees him secure a spot in the elite eight-man Tour Championship and edges him closer to a return to the world’s top 16.