Judd Trump believes he needs to raise his game ‘by 50 per-cent’ in order to compete with Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Dafabet Masters final at Alexandra Palace.
Trump overcame Neil Robertson 6-4 in their semi-final on Saturday evening, setting up a mouthwatering showdown with O’Sullivan, conqueror of Ding Junhui in the last four.
It will be Trump’s maiden Masters final – having previously lost three semi-finals – while the Rocket is incredibly appearing in a 13th final of snooker’s most prestigious invitational event.
Neither Trump nor Robertson were at their best in their semi-final, though the 29-year-old Bristol potter was a deserving winner, having played the better safety game throughout.
Trump made five half-century breaks, making crucial contributions of 61 and 60 to land frames five and six after Robertson had levelled from 0-2 down.
The Aussie had chances in both those key frames, but it was Trump’s composure that won out. He has been edging key tactical battles all week, something that pleases him.
“I’ve managed to nick the bad frames all week, which are the frames I normally lose. I think that’s been the major difference,” he told World Snooker.
“Every game now seems to be about my safety. It’s pleasing because I don’t really think I’ve played that great all week. I’ve never really felt relaxed. I’ve managed to dig in, without playing brilliant snooker I’m making my way through tournaments.”
O’Sullivan may hold the Masters advantage in terms of experience but Trump can point to his 9-7 Northern Ireland Open final win over the five-time world champion in November, the ninth ranking title win of his career, for confidence.
He has no doubts however that he must lift his performance levels significantly to win the final and it is a challenge he is relishing.
“I’m going to have to raise my game by about 50 per-cent to get close to Ronnie,” he added. “But I’m in with a chance, whereas I’m usually watching the final on TV.
“I don’t have anything to lose after that performance. Hopefully I can go out there and play somewhere near how I played in Northern Ireland, take the game to him, speed up and go for my shots with confidence.”
Trump is 2.80 to win the Dafabet Masters final, with O’Sullivan strong favourite at 1.40. The ‘Ace in the Pack’ can be backed at 11.00 to win 10-7 at Ally Pally.