Judd Trump is backing Mark Williams to win a fourth World Snooker Championship title when he takes on Zhao Xintong in the final over Sunday and Monday.
Williams impressively got the better of Trump in their semi-final, with the 50-year-old beating the world number one 17-14.
The Welshman has become the oldest ever Crucible finalist and now has the trophy in his sights, despite suffering from deteriorating eyesight which leaves him with blurred vision at the table.
Zhao was fantastic in beating Ronnie O’Sullivan 17-7 in his semi-final, but Trump saw enough of that contest and obviously his own with Williams, to be fairly clear on who he expects to be crowned champion on Monday.
‘I’ve seen the other semi. I think if Mark plays to his standard, there’s no doubt in my mind who’ll win,’ said Trump.
Asked who he would like to win, the Englishman said: ‘I’d like for it to go close. I’d like to Mark to turn up and play like he did, I think he will.
‘I think he’s too strong, I think his all-round game is too good. And he won’t give in. In some of the games he [Zhao] has had it quite easy.
‘It’s going to be a good final for snooker, the old guard and the new guard. I think they have completely different games, completely different styles. And it’s going to be a good match-up.’
Trump feels Williams presents a unique challenge in the game and it is something that Zhao will have to get used to quickly.
‘It is different. It’s different to get into a rhythm against him,’ Trump said of Williams. ‘He’s very unique. The shot choices are quite awkward and he’s probably the best person at potting strange balls.
‘When it looks like there’s nothing on. There was a frame where I missed the black, there was nothing really on and I lost the frame.
‘He’s very, very good at that and no one else really does that. He sniffs out the opportunity where other people get down and casually play something. Whereas he takes his time and sees a shot that can win the frame from nowhere.’
In contrast to the veteran’s vast experience, Zhao had only ever won one match at the Crucible before this year and only in September did he return from a 20-month ban from the sport.
Trump has been impressed with his form since that return, but does not think he has faced a test like an in-form Williams yet.
‘If he’s allowed to play, he’s allowed to play and he’s looked very, very sharp when he’s come back,’ Trump said of Zhao’s return to the table. ‘I can’t imagine it’s been easy to come back and find your form that quick.
