November 27th 2024.
Judd Trump and John Higgins will face off once again in the UK Championship last 16 on Thursday. Despite being opponents on the snooker table, Trump has nothing but respect for the Scottish player. In fact, Trump ranks Higgins as one of the top two best players he has ever faced, alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The two players have a long history, having met in two World Championship finals in the past. Higgins, also known as the Wizard of Wishaw, is a four-time world champion and is widely considered one of the greatest players to ever pick up a cue. While Trump has played against legends like Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis, he believes that Higgins and O'Sullivan are the top two players in terms of skill and talent.
When asked about where Higgins stands on his all-time list, Trump replied, "In terms of players I've played, he's probably number one or two, right up there with Ronnie. When I first turned professional, John was in his prime and I really struggled to beat him. He always seemed to edge it with an unbelievable clearance in the last frame."
During the early stages of his career, Trump even rated Higgins higher than O'Sullivan due to his consistent performance. However, he recognizes O'Sullivan's longevity and believes that both players are equally special on their day.
Despite losing to Higgins in the 2011 Crucible final, Trump has had the upper hand in their recent meetings, winning their last four encounters and only losing once in major events since 2018. He admits that his record against Higgins gives him a boost of confidence, but he never underestimates the Scottish player's abilities.
Trump acknowledges that playing against someone like Higgins, whom he idolized while growing up, adds a special element to the game. He believes that this kind of match should be cherished and is excited to face his idol once again.
As the current world number one, Trump is favored to win the UK Championship this weekend in York. When asked if he thinks Higgins is tired of facing him, Trump jokes, "Probably. I was sick of him at the start of my career, so I can imagine he's sick of me now." He also understands that Higgins may feel hard done by, as Trump always seems to raise his game when playing against him.
The match between Trump and Higgins will take place at 1pm on Thursday at the Barbican, with the winner advancing to play either Stuart Bingham or Zhang Anda in the quarter-finals. Both players are determined to give their best and come out on top, making it a highly anticipated match for fans and players alike.
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