Judd Trump produced a dominant display, taking eight frames in a row to lead John Higgins 12-5 after the second session of the 2019 Betfred World Championship final.

The match is a repeat of the classic 2011 world final, which Higgins won 18-15. Bristol’s Trump will be hoping he can convert his advantage this year to produce a different outcome and pick up a maiden world title.

Trump secured the second Triple Crown win of his career at the Masters in January, beating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final. If he were to win tomorrow, he would be the first player since Mark Williams in 2003 to win the Masters and the World Championship in the same season.

Four-time World Champion Higgins is appearing in his third consecutive Crucible final, having lost out to Mark Selby and Williams in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

The players were tied at 4-4 coming into this evening after a gripping opening session. It was Higgins who made the best start, making a break of 125 to move 5-4 ahead. However, from there Trump took complete control of the tie.

The Ace in the Pack restored parity in the tenth frame and followed that up with a superb break of 135 to go 6-5 in front. Higgins then had first opportunity to draw level again but broke down on 44 after missing a pink to the middle pocket. Trump edged his way back into the frame and got over the line when he pounced on a missed yellow by Higgins, clearing to the pink.

Trump then composed his fourth century of the match, a break of 114, to go further ahead at 8-5. Between them, they have now made seven centuries in the match and are just one short of the record for most made in a world final. Stephen Hendry and Peter Ebdon made eight in 2002 final and that was matched by Ronnie O’Sullivan and Barry Hawkins in 2013.

World number seven Trump refused to let his foot off the gas, firing in further breaks of 71, 58 and 70 as he claimed the remaining four frames to secure an imposing 12-5 overnight advantage.

Source: World Snooker