Trump backs conqueror Wilson for the title

JUDD TRUMP last night backed Kyren Wilson to succeed him as world champion after becoming the latest victim of the so-called ‘Crucible Curse’ in Sheffield. Wilson’s 13-9 quarter-final win means Trump becomes the 18th first-time winner to fail to retain the crown since the event moved to its present venue in 1977. Trump said: ‘I think if Kyren plays like that, he will be very tough to stop. His long potting was brilliant over all three sessions and he is my pick to go on and win the title. ‘I think it would be brilliant for the game if I can have someone of my own age group to compete against for the next ten or 15 years. ‘He has taken a step up from when we played before and now it is all about me putting my foot back on the gas and get ready to try to improve to reach where he is at.’ Mark Selby admitted he doubted whether he would ever return to the one-table set-up at the Crucible after completing a 13-7 win over Neil Robertson to book his place in the semi-finals for the sixth time. Selby suffered a crisis of confidence in the wake of his third world title win in 2017, losing his No 1 ranking. But the 37-year-old believes the manner of his win over Robertson indicates he is back to somewhere approaching his best. Selby said: ‘Over the last 12 to 18 months I was questioning myself. I had got so used to winning tournaments then when I wasn’t winning them it became very damaging to my confidence. ‘I was happy with my performance against Neil. I felt as though if I got a chance I could score and my safety play was back up with how it was. ‘As a matchplay game it was right up there with my best performances. I can see the changes already, so long may it continue.’

Selby will play Ronnie O’Sullivan in the last four after the Rocket beat Mark WIlliams 13-10. Scotland’s Anthony McGill completes the semi-final line-up after a 13-10 win over Kurt Maflin.