Judd Trump ready for ‘epic’ final vs Ronnie O’Sullivan after setting up World Championship showdown

Judd Trump salivating over ‘EPIC’ final against Ronnie O’Sullivan after the snooker superstars set up a mouthwatering conclusion to this year’s World Championship by getting past Mark Williams and John Higgins

  • Judd Trump is looking forward to a superstar final clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan
  • Both men reached the World Snooker Championship showpiece this weekend
  • Trump saw off a Herculean fightback from Mark Williams to reach the final
  • O’Sullivan got the better of John Higgins to setup a clash vs the 2019 champion
  • Trump insists their meeting will be a ‘brilliant final for snooker’ on Monday night

Judd Trump is looking forward to an epic final against hero Ronnie O’Sullivan after the snooker superstars set up a dream conclusion to this year’s World Championship.

After Trump saw off a Herculean fightback from three-time world champion Mark Williams to win a Crucible thriller in the deciding frame, the Bristolian said: ‘It’s going to be an epic final. It’s a brilliant final for snooker.’

And O’Sullivan, who powered past John Higgins with a 17-11 victory, can level the great Stephen Hendry with a seventh title now just 18 frames away.

Ronnie O'Sullivan got past John Higgins in his semi-final

Judd Trump is looking forward to a World Snooker Championship final vs Ronnie O’Sullivan

Trump, the 2019 champion looked increasingly shaky as Williams – who had trailed 7-1, 9-2 and 12-5 – seized the momentum to lead the match for the first time at 16-15.

Roared on by a partisan crowd, Williams took his century tally for the tournament to 16 – matching Stephen Hendry’s record of 20 years ago – with a superb 138.

But Trump – aided by two cross-doubles in the deciding frame – clawed his way back to win a thrilling semi-final. The 32-year-old admitted fortune favoured him.

‘I was praying he was going to make some mistakes and I had all my luck in the last frame. For two of them (cross doubles) to go your way you know it is your day.’

Trump saw off a Herculean fightback from Mark Williams to set up a showdown with O'Sullivan

Trump saw off a Herculean fightback from Mark Williams to set up a showdown with O’Sullivan

And Trump, 32, who spoke of having an extended break from snooker before the Sheffield spectacular, said: ‘This is probably the most relaxed I’ve been in five or six years. I just feel relaxed in myself and feel like my game is picking up.’

When reflecting on his remarkable performance, Williams said: ‘I put loads of pressure on him and had him on the ropes.

‘I hit him with everything. And just came up a little bit short.’

In the other semi-final, O’Sullivan needed just two frames to beat John Higgins in yesterday’s evening session after a compelling and gritty morning between the other two members of the Class of 92.

His rival got the better of John Higgins in his own semi to progress to Monday night's final

His rival got the better of John Higgins in his own semi to progress to Monday night’s final

It was punctuated by a frustrated thump of the cue by Higgins at a missed red, with squandered chances costing the Scot, who trailed 15-9 heading into last night’s evening session.

And O’Sullivan needed less than an hour and 20 minutes to wrap up the two frames needed to put himself into an eighth final.

And snooker fans are in for a treat. O’Sullivan has won their only Crucible encounter, a semi-final in 2013 on his way to winning the fifth of his six world titles.