JUDD TRUMP plans to relish his Coral UK Championship final battle with Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The 25-year-old, a winner of the tournament at York three years ago, booked a spot in the showpiece with a 6-4 victory over Stephen Maguire.
After racing to a 4-0 lead, Trump was made to work hard by the Scotsman. Breaks of 57, 63 and 79 meant it was looking like an early night but Maguire got on the board in the first frame after the interval.
A century from Trump in the next saw victory look inevitable but, when Maguire grabbed the seventh with a break of 67, and produced a brilliant red in the next to reduce the gap once again, Trump started to feel the pressure.
That gap then became just one frame as, with the match in his grasp, Trump came up short on the final brown and failed to sink it.
But he finally got over the line when, tied at 45-45 in the tenth frame, Maguire failed to hit the green when snookered behind the blue and and Trump was able to crawl over the line.
Trump admitted feeling the heat as his opponent got ever closer but was naturally thrilled to make his second UK final.
On the prospect of facing the Rocket, he said: “It is an enjoyment. Who doesn’t relish playing the best player who has ever played?
“For me, there is still always improvement when I play him. I am looking to improve and beat him at the same time. There’s still things you can take from playing him.
“I pushed him hard in the last tournament (the Champion of Champions final). Tomorrow is a completely different day.
“I am glad to have got through to the final of this event. It has been a tough week and I am just pleased to be through.”
Maguire said: “It’s always cruel to lose but I can’t complain too much. I had chances in the last frame and, for whatever reason, didn’t pot the balls to leave him needing snookers.
“I was in three out of the first four frames - one chance and didn’t do it - and he potted some great balls to get himself in and kept clearing up.
“I take my hat off to him. In the first four he played great. The long ones didn’t go in during the second half.”
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