Born 21 August 1989, Judd has been a professional player since he was 16, and has risen up the rankings every year to his current world ranking of 27.

Judd photographed here at the Grove Academy with Liu Song and Zhang Anda

As an amateur, Judd was English Under-13 and Under-15 champion and also reached the World Under-21 Championship semi-finals at the age of 14. At the same age, he became the youngest player ever to make a competitive 147 against Jin Foulger, beating a record previously held by Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Judd became the youngest player ever to reach the World Championship Finals in 2007. His biggest tournament to date has been the Grand Prix in 2008 when Judd beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-4 to reach the semi-final, in which he was defeated 6-4 by John Higgins. Judd also won a qualifying tournament to gain entry into the 2009 Masters Tournament as the only qualifier, but was defeated by Mark Allen in the first round.

In 2009 Judd qualified for the Premier League Snooker for the first time and had a great run, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Judd’s first majour tournament success came at the unranked Austrian Open in May 2010 when he beat new World Champion Neil Robertson 6-4 in the final in Wels.