Judd Trump dominates World Championship semi-final against Mark Williams
Judd Trump took a dominant 7-1 first session lead over Mark Williams in the World Championship semi-final, writes Ben Parsons.
Trump, 32, had joked that he was ‘stuck in the middle of a world seniors championship’ after sealing his spot in an epic last four at the Crucible.
Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins completed a semi-final line-up featuring each of snooker’s Class of 92 for the first time since 1999.
Three-time Crucible king Williams had overcome Yan Bingtao 13-11 in a draining quarter-final battle on Wednesday.
And 2019 champion Trump looked much fresher than the 47-year-old in the fabled one-table set-up, after he eased past Stuart Bingham 13-8 in his last eight tie.
The world number four took a 3-1 mid-session interval lead, capitalising on the unusually poor long game of Williams.
He then reeled off four consecutive frames to take control as Williams continued to falter.
Trump did not make a century and remains on only four for the tournament, despite being renowned as such a prolific break-builder.
But five breaks of over 50 allowed the Bristol potter to build a dominant early advantage.
Williams had admitted to fatigue after his absorbing clash with former Masters champion Bingtao.
“I did flag in last night’s session and playing two sessions in one day took it out of me,” he said after his win.
"I had nothing left to give. It must just be age, there’s nothing I can do about it.
“This is a long gruelling tournament but adrenalin gets you through.”
In the best-of-33 battle, Williams must respond by building momentum in Friday’s morning’s second session.
Williams and Trump continue their match with two sessions on Friday, while the concluding session will be played on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan and Higgins begin their own blockbuster Crucible showdown in Thursday evening’s session.
O’Sullivan, chasing Stephen Hendry’s record of seven world titles, cruised into the last four with a 13-5 victory over Scotland’s Stephen Maguire.
Higgins will meet O’Sullivan in a match-up for the ages after edging a dramatic decider 13-12 against Jack Lisowski.
