‘One of the best you’ll see all season’ – Trump manufactures ‘magical’ clearance
Video credit: TNT Sports
Judd Trump gave Alan McManus “chills” with a “magical” clearance to steal the fourth frame from Si Jiahui in his UK Championship win.The world No. 1 and defending UK champion defeated the Chinese potter 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals.
But Trump could have found himself embroiled in a much tighter battle, had he not produced a break TNT Sports commentator Phil Studd described as “one of the best you’ll see all season”.
With Si 65-0 up and the black hugged tight to its cushion, Trump quickly realised that he would have to extricate the seven-point ball if he wanted to nick the frame without snookers.
It looked a certainty that Si would head into the interval at 2-2, as McManus explained.
“Look, I’m a snooker fan when I’m sitting here. I get chills when this kind of thing happens,” said McManus.
‘That’s worth four frames’ – Trump’s ‘other-worldly’ steal analysed
Video credit: TNT Sports
“It was other-worldly, just amazing. He’s got no business winning this frame – 65 behind, Si Jiahui in total control. Eventually the black goes on the cushion.
“So, as Neal Foulds correctly called it, until the black is in play, he effectively needs a snooker.”
But Trump, who has 30 ranking titles to his name, including two UK Championship crowns, demonstrated his credentials to devastating effect.
“It looked like 2-2 for all the world. That is a magical clearance and that’s why Judd Trump is the world No. 1 and the defending UK champion,” enthused Studd after Trump had rolled in the final black.
“A superb break, one of the best you’ll see all season, and instead of parity for Si Jiahui, he’s playing catch up at the break.”
And McManus believes that Trump’s “irresistible” display in the first session of his second-round encounter has seen him back to his best.
“Welcome home, Judd Trump. That was irresistible. It doesn’t get any better than that. I’m so happy to see a great champion play like that,” said McManus.
“He’s back in the practice room [at the interval], but he’s not on the practice table, and with good reason, because he doesn’t need it. The hard work has been done and it’s been a performance to savour. He’s been amazing.
“That’s worth four frames, that 60-odd clearance. It is. He’s not played anywhere near as well as this in a long, long time.
‘Proper tournament’ – Trump praises venue and ‘perfect-sized’ pockets after win over Si
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I know it’s only four frames, but I did see early on, even in the first frame I thought he looked back to the Judd Trump that we have known for the last couple of decades.
“He’s been amazing. I keep saying it, just amazing.”
Trump’s reward for his victory is a last-eight clash against the winner of Scott Donaldson and Ding Junhui.
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
