BERLIN — Judd Trump ended a two-month title drought in emphatic style, capturing the 2024 German Masters crown with a commanding 10-5 victory over Shaun Murphy at the Tempodrom on Sunday.
The world number one, whose last trophy came at the UK Championship in early December, produced a masterclass of break-building and tactical control to secure his fourth ranking title of a remarkable season and the 28th of his illustrious career.
In front of a raucous, sold-out Berlin crowd, Trump weathered an early storm from Murphy before pulling away decisively in the evening session, reasserting his dominance on the World Snooker Tour. "It feels amazing," Trump said, holding the trophy aloft. "After the UK, you always want to kick on and win more, so to get over the line here against a player of Shaun’s quality is very special. This venue is one of the best in the world."
A Battle of Heavyweights in Berlin
The final pitted two of snooker's most prolific and attacking players against each other, promising a high-scoring spectacle. Murphy, the 2005 world champion, started the brighter, capitalizing on uncharacteristic errors from Trump to establish a 3-1 lead in the afternoon session. A century break of 105 in the third frame signaled his intent.
However, Trump, renowned for his ability to accelerate quickly, found his rhythm. He responded with a stunning four-frame burst, compiling breaks of 97, 130, 56, and 70 to turn the match on its head and take a 5-3 lead into the interval. The 134 clearance in frame six was a particular highlight, a statement of pure potting prowess.
Murphy managed to stop the rot by taking a tense final frame of the afternoon to trail 5-4, keeping the contest finely poised. "I felt I had chances to be further ahead," Murphy admitted later. "Judd punished every mistake I made. That’s why he’s world number one."
Evening Session Dominance Seals Victory
Any hopes of a Murphy comeback were swiftly extinguished in the evening. Trump returned with a steely focus, winning the first three frames with breaks of 53, 89, and 92 to extend his lead to 8-4. The match was slipping away from the Magician, who struggled to find the long pots and safety game that had served him well earlier.
Murphy showed his fighting spirit by claiming the 13th frame, but Trump immediately snuffed out any momentum by taking the next with a cool 67. At 9-5, Trump needed just one more frame for victory. He sealed it in style, crafting a flawless century break of 119 to cross the winning line, a fitting conclusion to a dominant performance.
The victory was built on a foundation of staggering scoring power. Throughout the tournament, Trump compiled a total of 11 century breaks, reinforcing his reputation as the sport's most devastating break-builder. His key strengths in Berlin included:
- Long Potting: Consistently gaining the first opportunity through aggressive and accurate long-range shots.
- Break-Building Efficiency: Converting nearly every chance into a frame-winning contribution.
- Tactical Maturity: Choosing the right moments to attack and employing shrewd safety when needed.
Trump's Stellar Season Continues
This German Masters triumph further cements what is becoming one of the greatest individual seasons in recent snooker history. Trump's 2023/24 campaign now includes:
- Champion, German Masters (Berlin)
- Champion, UK Championship (York)
- Champion, English Open (Brentwood)
- Champion, Wuhan Open (China)
- Runner-up, Northern Ireland Open (Belfast)
With four ranking titles already secured before the season's climax, which includes the World Championship in April, Trump has opened a significant gap at the top of the world rankings and is the clear front-runner for the Player of the Year award. "My aim is to keep this form going right into the Crucible," Trump stated.
Murphy's Resurgence Falls Short
For Shaun Murphy, the runner-up finish represents continued progress in his own resurgence. After a difficult couple of seasons, the 41-year-old has rediscovered his best form, reaching his second ranking final of the season after winning the prestigious Players Championship in 2023. His run in Berlin, which included victories over formidable opponents like Hossein Vafaei and Si Jiahui, proves he remains a major threat.
Despite the defeat, Murphy was gracious in praise of his opponent. "Judd was unplayable at times. I’ve won tournaments playing like that, and when someone does it to you, you just have to hold your hands up. I’m pleased with my week, but he was the better player today."
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Crucible
The German Masters marks the start of a crucial phase in the snooker calendar. With the World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship still to come, Trump has positioned himself as the man to beat for the remaining 'Triple Crown' event – the World Championship. His powerful, fluid game is perfectly suited to the longer matches at the Crucible Theatre, where he will aim to win a second world title.
For now, the snooker world is once again marveling at the consistency and brilliance of Judd Trump. By ending his brief trophy drought in such a dominant fashion in Berlin, he has sent a powerful message to his rivals: his hunger for victory is as strong as ever. As the sport heads towards its Sheffield showdown, the world number one is undoubtedly the player in form, with confidence soaring and his sights set on even greater glory.
"Winning never gets old," Trump concluded with a smile. "This is why we put in the hours of practice. Nights like this, in an atmosphere like this, make it all worthwhile. I can’t wait for the next one."
