Trump to scale the tower

TITLE favourite Judd Trump believes he is finally ready to lift the Betfred World Championship trophy.

The Juddernaut arrives at a tournament in anniversary party mood this year in the form of his life after a best-ever campaign.

Trump, 27, watched last night as former champions from 40 years at the venue paraded on a green carpet in the arena and were hailed by fans. And Trump, who coined the term ‘naughty snooker’ for his attacking style, wants to go one better than the 2011 final he lost to John Higgins.

Trump, who has won two titles and been in three more finals this term, said: “It is about time I won. It was a close call when I lost to John Higgins in the 2011 final. But I feel now as if it is my time to step up to the plate.

“My game has improved and I am coming off my best season. I am coming into my prime, and probably the most confident I have ever been coming in to tournaments.

“Most of the time I have been knowing I would play well rather than hoping.

“It is nice to see other players saying I am the man to beat at tournaments. Most of it is down to winning matches and winning titles, it breeds success like nothing else.”

Trump is ahead of long-time rival and former idol Ronnie O’Sullivan in the betting. But the left-hander believes the Rocket has lacked not only consistency this season – but also his fear factor.

Trump, who will first play the go-slow Rory McLeod, said: “Ronnie has reached the age where his consistency is going to go. He has played smaller events but maybe there he doesn’t take them as seriously, and he isn’t as feared. He has lost 10 to 15 per cent.”

Meanwhile O’Sullivan, a five-time champion, is looking to recreate his greatest Crucible moment – his fourth title in 2012.

O’Sullivan said: “The win in 2012 will always be my favourite Crucible moment. A lot of people had started to write me off after some poor results. I also got to celebrate with my boy Ronnie jnr.”

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