Trump and Higgins Share Opening Session

Judd Trump and John Higgins are locked together at 4-4 after the first session of the 2019 Betfred World Championship final.

The match is a repeat of the classic 2011 world final, where Higgins came through an 18-15 victor. In total Scotland’s Higgins is playing in his eighth Crucible final, matching Steve Davis’ total. Only Stephen Hendry has reached more, having competed in nine.

Trump hasn’t made the Crucible final since that clash in 2011 and is aiming for a maiden World Championship title. The Ace in the Pack won a second Triple Crown title by beating Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-4 in the final of the Masters earlier this year.

It was Bristol’s Trump who got off to the fastest start this afternoon, in a session which was played to the high standard which befitted the occasion. Trump took the opening frame with a break of 51, before a contribution of 63 helped him to make it 2-0.

Higgins got his first frame on the board with a sublime contribution of 139. However, Trump ensured he had the lead at the interval, replying with a century run of 105 to make it 3-1.

When they returned, Higgins embarked on a streak which would see him claim the lead for the first time in the match. Breaks of 69, 34, 40 and 101 saw him rack up 244 unanswered points and three frames on the bounce to lead 4-3. The session ended with Trump restoring parity thanks to the fourth century of the day, a break of 103.