WUHAN — The 2024 Wuhan Open snooker tournament witnessed a stunning day of upsets and breakthroughs as world number one Judd Trump was sensationally knocked out in the last 16, while 18-year-old prodigy Stan Moody reached his first career ranking quarter-final.
Trump, the pre-tournament favorite and recent winner of the English Open, fell to a 5-3 defeat against China’s Lyu Haotian in a match that saw the top seed struggle for consistency. Meanwhile, on an adjacent table, the young Englishman Moody continued his dream run, defeating world number 28 Hossein Vafaei 5-2 to announce his arrival on the professional stage.
Trump's Surprise Exit Shakes Tournament
Judd Trump entered his match against Lyu Haotian as the overwhelming favorite, but the Chinese player, ranked 27th in the world, displayed immense composure and scoring power to topple the sport's dominant force. The match was a tense affair, with Lyu building a 3-1 lead at the mid-session interval. Trump fought back to level the match at 3-3, but Lyu seized control of the final two frames, capitalizing on uncharacteristic errors from the world number one to secure the biggest win of his season.
Speaking after the match, a disappointed Trump acknowledged his opponent's strong performance, stating: "Lyu played a great match and capitalized on every chance I gave him. I never really found my rhythm out there today. It’s disappointing, but sometimes you have these days. All credit to him, he held himself together brilliantly under pressure."
Moody's Meteoric Rise to the Last Eight
In stark contrast to Trump's exit, the story of the day was the continued success of Stan Moody. The teenager, who turned professional just last year after winning the World Snooker Federation Junior Open, produced a mature and controlled performance to dispatch the dangerous Iranian, Hossein Vafaei. Moody’s victory was built on a solid tactical foundation and fearless long-potting, showcasing a temperament that belies his age.
Moody's run in Wuhan has been the culmination of steady progress. His path to the quarter-finals included impressive victories over seasoned professionals, signaling his readiness to compete at the highest level. His performance against Vafaei was particularly notable for its key elements:
- Clinical Finishing: He took his chances when they were presented, notably with a crucial break of 78 in the sixth frame.
- Resilience: He recovered immediately after losing a frame to a Vafaei century break, showing no signs of nerves.
- Tactical Acumen: He effectively shut Vafaei out of several frames with tight safety play.
An elated Moody spoke to World Snooker Tour after his historic win: "It’s an unbelievable feeling. To be in my first quarter-final is what I’ve been working towards. I knew I had to be at my best against Hossein, he’s a class player. I just tried to stick to my game, stay calm, and I’m over the moon that it was enough to get through."
The Road Ahead in Wuhan
The quarter-final draw has now been drastically reshaped by these results. Lyu Haotian’s reward for defeating Trump is a match against another Chinese star, Wu Yize. The other side of the draw sees the emerging giant-killer, Stan Moody, face his toughest test yet against former World Champion and current world number three, Mark Allen.
Allen progressed smoothly to the last eight with a 5-1 victory over Stephen Maguire and will undoubtedly be the heavy favorite against the young Englishman. However, Moody’s fearlessness and current form make him a dangerous opponent for anyone left in the tournament. The snooker world will be watching closely to see if the teenager can create another major upset.
Other Key Results from the Last 16
While the headlines were stolen by Trump's loss and Moody's win, other top players navigated their matches successfully. World Champion Luca Brecel continued his strong form with a 5-2 win over Tom Ford, setting up a quarter-final clash with Barry Hawkins, who defeated Ding Junhui in a final-frame decider. The tournament remains wide open, with several players now believing the title is there for the taking.
A Sign of Changing Times?
This day of snooker in Wuhan feels emblematic of a potential shift within the sport. The established hierarchy, so often dictated by the "big names" like Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Mark Selby, is being challenged by a new generation of hungry, talented players from around the globe. Lyu Haotian’s victory demonstrates the depth of quality emerging from China, while Stan Moody’s run is a testament to the success of snooker’s development pathways in nurturing young talent in the UK and beyond.
The professional tour is becoming increasingly competitive, and as Judd Trump found out, there are no easy games. The consistency required to stay at the top is immense, and new challengers are emerging every season, ready to capitalize on any slight dip in form from the established elite.
Conclusion: A New Star is Born
While Judd Trump’s early exit is a significant shock and a talking point for the snooker world, the enduring story from the 2024 Wuhan Open will be the arrival of Stan Moody on the big stage. Reaching a ranking quarter-final for the first time is a monumental milestone for any young player, and doing so by defeating a player of Vafaei’s caliber marks Moody as a future star.
His journey is far from over in Wuhan. The match against Mark Allen represents the ultimate challenge, but it is also a free hit for the 18-year-old. With the pressure firmly on his more experienced opponent, Moody has the opportunity to play his natural game and potentially script another unforgettable chapter in what is already a breakthrough tournament for him and a sign of exciting times ahead for snooker.
