“Trump Overwhelms Opponent Who ‘Played With One Hand’: ‘This Must Be a Record'”

Judd Trump delivered a sweeping victory over an ailing Hossein Vafaei, defeating him 5-0 in their quarter-final encounter at the World Grand Prix. Despite significant physical challenges, including a problematic disc affecting his neck and shoulder, Vafaei managed to reach his first ranking tournament quarter-final of the season. He described playing under these conditions as akin to “playing with one hand.”

Vafaei was unexpectedly included in the tournament lineup as a replacement for Ronnie O’Sullivan, who withdrew due to health concerns. However, his remarkable resilience was no match for Trump’s formidable performance. Trump displayed exceptional skill with breaks of 145, 108, 115, and 146, concluding the match in just 64 minutes while Vafaei scored a mere 31 points.

Trump’s victory paved the way for a semi-final showdown with Stuart Bingham, who also overcame an injury concern to edge past Mark Selby 5-4. Observers praised Trump’s performance, with some fans suggesting it might be among his finest, noting the rarity of achieving two high breaks in a single match.

Before his defeat, Vafaei had been candid about the severe discomfort he endured due to his spinal issues. He revealed that the pain was so intense it left his arm numb and required ongoing acupuncture treatments, even using electric stimulation to manage the nerve pain. Vafaei, known as the “Prince of Persia,” expressed his commitment to his supporters, stating that despite the agony, he preferred to compete rather than withdraw.

Reflecting on his journey, Vafaei shared how he was called to participate in the tournament on short notice, following a busy schedule that saw him traveling between various cities for contractual obligations. Although he was not pleased about O’Sullivan’s withdrawal, he wished his friend good health.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Shaun Murphy triumphed over John Higgins with a score of 5-3, advancing to face Neil Robertson, who secured his semi-final berth by defeating Xiao Guodong with the same margin. Vafaei’s recent history includes a notable 5-4 win against O’Sullivan at the previous year’s World Open.

In summary, Trump’s dominant display against Vafaei at the World Grand Prix highlighted both his exceptional talent and Vafaei’s tenacity in the face of adversity.