Trump reaches maiden UK final

Judd Trump's fine breakthrough year continued last night with a an excellent 9-7 win against his fierce Aussie rival Neil Robertson.

Picture by Monique Limbos

In a year that has seen him win his first major ranking event, win Fans Player of the Year and finish runner-up in the World Championship, he can now add a maiden UK Championship to his growing list of achievements, as his reputation continues to soar.

Judd is fast becoming the player all the top players want to avoid at the big tournaments.

His fearless approach make him dangerous every time he comes to the table. His potting is sensational and his confidence sky high.

He's definitely got the beating of Robertson now. Despite losing to him earlier in the season in the Alex Higgins International Trophy, he's now knocked him out of the last two BBC tournaments.

It's difficult for Robertson to blame anyone but himself for this defeats because he had chances to reverse this defeat.

In fact, he had chances in pretty much every frame.

Judd is a great showman, a fans' favourite and an incredible attacking force. But with that comes pushing the boat out a little too much from time to time. When he pulls it off, he deserves all the superlatives in the world but the only slight drawback is that it does mean his opponents will get chances.

That's why despite being a heavy favourite to lift the title in York now, it's not over yet.

As well as another day in the sun for Judd, yesterday's match was also a classic example of why snooker fans love multi-session matches. Instead of the excellent sprint ties we've seen all week, this was entertainment value for a completely different reason. There was a story to the match. A beginning, a middle and an end.

The match lived up to its billing as a jaw-dropping potting and scoring fest but also ended with a good old-fashioned nervy conclusion. Judd will be a better player for coming through that kind of test. It proves he can win scrappy as well with his usual flair.

There will be more great battles to come between these fine two players, the best potters in the game. But for now, and again, it was Trump who came out on top and has a shot at silverware on Sunday.