England’s Stuart Bingham has conceded he must improve in Sunday’s European Masters final as he prepares to do battle with countryman Judd Trump. Bingham, 28/1 to win the UK Championship, did enough to reach the final after fighting off China’s Zhou Yuelong in Lommel. Bingham won the first frame after breaks of 40 and 44 but Zhou showed signs of his tremendous potential by taking a 2-1 lead after breaks of 54 and 101.
The nerves from both players then started to kick in and mistakes were made in the next few frames. At one point the score reached 3-3 before Bingham kept his nerve to then move into a 4-3 lead. He won the next three frames to book his place in the final but the 41-year-old believes he will need to do more to get his hands on the trophy.
Bingham conceded the nerves got to him at times during his semi-final clash but he insists he is ready to fight for another title. He told World Snooker: “Being in the final is all that matters. I said to my manager Gary, it’s just a case of whoever can get to six first. Today I was practising well and hitting the ball sweet. “I got out there and the nerves hit. I’ll need to play a lot better than that in the final. I couldn’t seem to get over 40 today. I have to score a lot better against Judd. “It’s nice to be in another final. I’ll be trying my hardest just like I did there and hopefully I will come out on top.”
European Masters odds available at Dafabet.