World Snooker Championship:
Vafaei launches epic comeback to stun world No 1 Trump
Iran’s Hossein Vafaei caused the biggest shock of this year’s World Snooker Championship as he beat the world No 1, Judd Trump, in a final frame decider on Monday.
Hossein showed nerves of steel to rattle off a break of 91 in the 25th frame to claim a 13-12 victory and move through to the quarter-finals for the first time. Trump, aiming to add to his 2019 title, had led 10-7 and 12-11, but Vafaei would not be denied.
The beaming Iranian was warmly congratulated by Trump at the end and received a standing ovation from the crowd. “He’s such a tough opponent. I respect him on and off the table,” Vafaei said.
“Today I played better than yesterday and I managed it better than before. I said: ‘If it’s my tournament, it’s going to happen.’ I’ve been working on the mental side, I’ve wanted to be calmer and perform. It’s better to sometimes shut your mouth and let the game come out.”
Trump had looked in a strong position going into the final session as he held a 9-7 lead, but 31-year-old Vafaei, who came through two qualifying matches and was the only qualifier to win in the first round, fought back well.
He won six of the nine frames in the final session, making breaks of 106 and 91 to rally from behind and win.
Vafaei, the current world number 32, felt he could go all the way in Sheffield, the city he lives in.
“I’m looking forward to playing anyone – I’m not scared of anyone and all of them know that,” said Vafaei, who plays China’s Wu Yize next.
“There’s no pressure, so why should I be worried? Some of us are different. When you see the line you get hungry or you get tired, it’s up to you. I came to live in Sheffield to be beside the Crucible. The Crucible trophy is living in my head rent free.
“It’s one of the biggest wins of my career. I’m looking forward to it against Wu and fancy the job – let’s see how talented he is. I was not nervous, I enjoyed every moment. I was born for these kinds of situations.”
Trump, the 2019 champion, added: “It hurts but I had my chances. When you know you didn’t play a good shot it’s not like you’ve been unlucky.
“I’m not angry about it, I just was not good enough.”
Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted he got what he deserved after seeing his attempt for a record-breaking eighth Crucible crown shattered by a stunning comeback from John Higgins while Mark Selby branded the playing surface “horrific” after a 13-11 defeat by Wu.
O’Sullivan twice led by five frames, but lost six in a row over the final two sessions and Higgins fired three centuries on Monday before holding his nerve to get over the line and complete a memorable 13-12 win to make the quarter-finals.
BBC and The Guardian contributed to this report.