Animosity with Trump will drive us both on to be better: Wilson

KYREN Wilson started a war of words with reigning world champion Judd Trump ahead of their Crucible quarter-final clash, revealing the pair will ‘never be best friends.’

The duo are close contemporaries and rivalry sparked when Trump openly questioned Wilson’s credentials after he lost to him in the final of the 2018 Shanghai Masters.

Ahead of their quarter-final tussle, Wilson, who has beaten Trump in seven of their 15 meetings on the tour, admitted the pair’s relationship is somewhat frosty.

“Judd and I won’t ever be best friends,” said Wilson (below).

“That’s going to be really good for both of us going forward — you obviously want to get the better of the other player and we’re very competitive.

“He came through the juniors just before me and was at the top of the tree when I was making my way. Judd obviously wasn’t keen on losing at the Shanghai Masters — I wouldn’t be — and you hold onto those losses and want to get your own back.

“He’s world number one, he’s won the Triple Crown now and once you’ve won that, you can go down on the greatest list. That’s obviously my aim.

“I’ve proven myself over longer formats with Judd and it’s going to be really fun. We’ve not yet played here and hopefully there will be more battles in the years to come.”

Wilson disposed of Martin Gould 13-9 to reach the Crucible quarter-finals for the fifth successive year. 2010 world champion Neil Robertson beat Barry Hawkins by the same scoreline to set up a mouthwatering last eight tie with three-time winner Mark Selby.

Welsh veteran Mark Williams will face Ronnie O’sullivan after the Rocket beat Ding Junhui 1310, while a tie with Kurt Maflin awaits the winner of Anthony Mcgill’s heated clash with Jamie Clarke.

Mcgill took issue with Clarke standing in his line of sight while down on a shot and the pair had to be separated by referee Jan Verhaas.

Robertson believes a rule change is needed after the ugly scenes continued into the night on social media.

“It never happens when top players play each other because they know the etiquette,” said the Australian.