Trump relishing ‘epic’ showdown with O’Sullivan

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

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

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

Trump, the 2019 world champion, looked increasingly shaky as Williams 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 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. 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.’

And Trump, who spoke of having a break from snooker before the Sheffield spectacular, said: ‘This is probably the most relaxed I’ve been in five or six years.’

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 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.

Higgins 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 he needed to reach the final.

And snooker fans are in for a treat. O’Sullivan, 46, has won their only Crucible encounter, a semi-final in 2013 on his way to winning the fifth of his six world titles.