Judd Trump’s two-word claim truly shows what he thinks of John Higgins | Other | Sport

Judd Trump is preparing to face snooker legend John Higgins in a semi-final clash at the Masters. And the world No. 1 has let slip his true feelings towards the Class of ’92 member.

Trump has tasted glory twice at Alexandra Palace before in 2019 and 2023. After victories over Ding Junhui and Mark Allen this time around, he is now just one game away from this year’s final. Standing in his way, however, is the seemingly ageless Higgins, who at 50 has become the oldest Masters semi-finalist since 1983. The Scottish potter beat Barry Hawkins and reigning world champion Zhao Xintong to reach this stage and is still ranked No. 5 in the world. Trump was asked about the matchup with Higgins after he put Northern Irishman Allen to the sword in the quarter-final stage and he revealed his true, respectful feelings towards an icon of the game.

“It was an important game as I knew John won earlier and I’ve got a good record against him recently,” Trump said to TNT Sports swiftly after his win against Allen. “I watched bits of his final frame against Zhao Xintong [in the quarter-finals] and to be fair, he’s had a few tough losses recently, so he was probably due a good one.

“John has been a tale of two halves. I think the first five or 10 years, he was beating me 5-4, 6-5 every time. He was making those important clearances, but the last 10 years have been somewhat the opposite.”

Trump respectfully added, using two key words to describe Higgins: “He’s been my favourite player to play against. He’s the ultimate test and the manner in which he plays is amazing.

“He’s also a gentleman out there, so it feels like you get a proper game against him. There’s nothing else going on, no tactics or anything like that. I’m glad he’s had a bit of a resurgence in the last year or two because there was a spell where it looked like he was dropping down a little bit, but he’s come back brilliantly. To still be doing it on this stage, at 50, is incredible.

“I enjoy playing him as with Xintong, you don’t really know what you’re going to get. I could play badly, he could play unbelievably, so with John he’s got that steady level he’s going to play at and I know I’m going to have to be at my absolute best to stand a chance.”

The second semi-final at this year’s Masters sees 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson take on the prodigious Wu Yize, whose pacey potting and ambidextrous break-building have earned him endless plaudits.

Wilson, on the other hand, triumphed over Si Jiahui in the first round before a barnstorming affair against Neil Robertson. The Englishman was taken all the way before prevailing 6-5.