Ronnie O’Sullivan gave Judd Trump the ultimate show of respect at the 2015 German Masters.
The ‘Rocket’ was laser focused on his clash with Shaun Murphy in Berlin, or so it seemed.
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Despite O’Sullivan’s box office status, spectators at the Tempodrom were drawn to the table opposite where Judd Trump was taking on Mark Selby in a quarter-final clash.
Whilst O’Sullivan was building momentum in his own quarter-final match, he was seen regularly turning his head for a snake peak at what Trump was doing.
The Bristol native was rampaging towards a maximum break 147 and even the Rocket wanted a first-hand look at Trump’s brilliance.
It ranked as the 113th official maximum and signalled one of the few times O’Sullivan was upstaged at a live event.
Even Murphy turned his head away from the table to watch Trump’s heroics before breaking into a round of applause.
O’Sullivan was seen smiling at the feat as he turned his attention back to his quest for a semi-final spot.
It was a huge show of respect and sportsmanship from O’Sullivan but one that may have proved to be his immediate downfall.
The Rocket was sent crashing out of the tournament, losing 5-4 to Murphy.
It was no better for Trump who also slipped to defeat in his clash with Selby.
And it was the two winners that day who went on to contest the final in Berlin with Selby proving too strong for Murphy with a 9-7 victory and recipient of the €80,000 (£66,922) prize money.
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There will not be a repeat of ten years ago for Selby after he was knocked out of this year’s competition by world No.31 Elliot Slessor on Wednesday.
Selby slipped to a 5-4 defeat to end his hopes of winning the tournament for a second time.
His exit has opened the door for Trump, Murphy and Kyren Wilson to get their hands on the prize.
Trump takes on Neil Robertson on Thursday while Murphy faces world No.39 Sijun Yuan. Wilson will play Wales’ Jak Jones for a place in the quarter-final.
Reigning world champion Wilson, has vowed to break the curse placed on first-time winners, with no player having retained the title.
He said: “My game is in fantastic shape. I have kicked-on since becoming a world champion. I haven’t let it burden me. Instead, I have used it to inspire me. I like to think there are many more trophies to come and I will give it my all. I will win the worlds.”
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Wilson has one German Masters success under his belt having triumphed in Berlin in 2019.
He showed his quality in setting up a third-round encounter with Jones, who saw off John Higgins.
