Judd Trump Confident Ahead of Shaun Murphy Clash at Crucible
The World Snooker Championship has reached the second round, and one of the most highly anticipated matches is set to take place between Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy. According to a report by Metro.co.uk, Trump is expecting his impressive recent record against Murphy to be on his opponent’s mind ahead of their clash.
The two players were standout performers in the opening round, with Trump beating Zhou Yuelong and Murphy defeating Daniel Wells, both by a convincing 10-4 scoreline. This sets the stage for an exciting last-16 match in Sheffield, with Murphy holding a 2-1 lead in their Crucible record. However, Trump has won their last seven meetings, including a 6-0 victory in the 2025 Players Championship Quarter-final.
In an interview, Trump acknowledged that his recent successes against Murphy could be a factor in the match. "I think it’ll be in his mind," he said. "I think there’s players recently I’ve had great records against. John Higgins, Mark Selby as well in ranking events, I’ve not lost for I don’t even know how long, but a long time." Trump also expressed his respect for Murphy, stating that he looked "superb" in his first game and had one of his best performances of his career at the Masters.
As reported by Metro.co.uk, Murphy is aware of his recent struggles against Trump but is looking forward to the challenge. "He’s given me a good hiding quite a few times in recent years but he is the world number one so there’s no shame in losing to Judd," he said. "I think it’ll be a great match."
The two players have a long history, with Murphy recalling their first meeting at the Crucible in 2007, when he won 10-6. Both men are one-time world champions, with Murphy having reached three more finals and Trump two. When asked if Trump’s solitary World Championship win helps illustrate just how tough it is to land this title, Murphy said: "I think Judd’s got time on his side, he’s world number one, he’s got everything lined up. I just hope he doesn’t play too well against me."
The second-round clash between Trump and Murphy is set to take place over three sessions, on Sunday morning and evening, before finishing on Monday afternoon. Metro.co.uk has provided a detailed analysis of their past meetings, with Trump leading 7-1 in their recent encounters.
Their past meetings include:
- 2025 Players Championship Quarter-final: Trump 6-0 Murphy
- 2024 Northern Ireland Open Quarter-final: Trump 5-1 Murphy
- 2024 Saudi Arabia Masters Semi-final: Trump 6-5 Murphy
- 2024 Shanghai Masters Final: Trump 11-5 Murphy
- 2024 World Masters of Snooker Quarter-final: Trump 4-3 Murphy
- 2023 Champion of Champions Quarter-final: Trump 6-4 Murphy
- 2023 World Grand Prix Semi-final: Trump 6-2 Murphy
The match is expected to be a closely contested one, with both players eager to progress to the quarter-finals. According to Metro.co.uk, the encounter will provide a fascinating insight into the current form of two of the sport’s top players.
For more information on the World Snooker Championship, readers can visit the Metro.co.uk website.
Additional reading:
Steve Davis hails ‘the most jaw-dropping player’ at World Snooker Championship
Pang Junxu ‘not afraid’ of Ronnie O’Sullivan as he looks for Crucible revenge
Ronnie O’Sullivan speaks out on Ali Carter handshake at World Snooker Championship
