Former world number one Judd Trump has secured a place in his third Snooker World Championship final after his semi-final match went to the deciding frame.
The Bristol-born potter from Whitchurch battled hard to overcome a tremendous Mark Williams fight back in the semi-final on Saturday (April 30), winning the deciding frame. The match has already been labelled one of the greatest matches in Crucible's prestigious history.
Trump, 32, is looking to score his second world title after his 2019 triumph over John Higgins. He lost in his first appearance in the final back in 2011 to Higgins. Rob Walker will introduce the 'Ace In The Pack' to a Crucible crowd for the World Snooker Championship Final for the third time in his career.
Read more: Judd Trump tricks referee and moves ball in 'sitcom' moment
"Ronnie was a hero of mine growing up," Trump said. "It's always been a dream of mine to play him in the final. There have been times I didn't think it would happen, but now it's here.
"He's already the best player that's ever lived, but I think he wants to confirm it by winning a seventh title. You can see it in the last couple of weeks. He tries to play it down but I think he's more determined than ever.
"It will be extremely tough to beat him but I am hoping I have saved my best until last."
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees congratulated Trump on his achievement. He tweeted: "Congratulations to #Bristol's own Judd Trump on securing his place in the World Snooker Championship Final, starting this afternoon Whitchurch and our whole city's behind you, @judd147t!@wearewst #ilovesnooker."
Admittedly the Bristolian snooker star has had a below average season by his own high standards only winning a single ranking event this year, as opposed to the five he won the year previous. But he is hoping to bag a cool £500,000 and the one title that really matters in the sport’s showcase event.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will be a tough opponent as he searches to further cement his legacy by winning a seventh World title, equalling the record held by Stephen Hendry in the modern era of snooker. 'Ronnie Rocket' is the bookies' favourite for this final after convincingly winning all of his games by five frames or more to get to this stage.
Prior to the semi-finals, Trump jokingly tweeted he had "ended up stuck in the middle of a world seniors championship“ making reference to the class of 92s Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins who were the remaining participants in the semi-finals.
Trump is looking to join an exclusive list of only nine players to have lifted the trophy more than once. In the 2019–20 season, he won six ranking events, setting a new record for the most ranking titles in a single season and subsequently added a further five ranking titles during the 2020–21 season.
He has collected more than 800-century breaks in professional competition, making him the third player, after Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, to reach this milestone. In the 2019–20 season, he became the second player, after Neil Robertson, to achieve 100-century breaks in a single season.
The 2022 World Snooker Championship final begins at 1pm on Sunday, May 1 at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Viewers can watch on BBC1 or on iPlayer.
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