World Snooker Championship semi-finals: Best chance for Trump
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Coral’s odds-on World Championship Snooker favourite Judd Trump holds a 10-5 head-to-head advantage over Crucible semi-final opponent Stuart Bingham, and is thus strongly fancied both to brush ‘Ball Run’ aside (2/7) and go all the way for a maiden crown (10/11).
Tenth seed Bingham should be full of confidence, however, after knocking out five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan to make the last four. ‘The Rocket’ was philosophical after his 13-9 quarter-final defeat, saying he “deserved to lose” to his fellow Essex native.
“I’ve had 20 years at the top – eventually there has to be a changing of the guard,” said ‘the Rocket’. “I was way off the pace. He [Bingham] just pushed me around and I felt second best all match.”
Bingham, meanwhile, was complimentary of Trump, who demolished Ding Junhui 13-4 to set up this clash, adding: “He looks like he’s flying out of his boots.
“I’ve been an underdog all my life. I’ll just do my own thing,” Ball Run continued. “Judd is a very confident person, a good lad. He’s got to a final before and feels like he can beat anyone. We all do in this situation.”
‘The Juddernaut’ has always beaten Bingham at big British events like the Masters and Welsh Open, so that does justify Trump’s status as a firm favourite. If punters fancy the underdog here, though, then take odds off 11/4.
Playing a first to 17 frame format is a rare occurrence for both Trump and Ball Run, with the latter in uncharted territory. Long two-day matches like this are marathons not sprints, and involve taking a tactical approach to each session.
Starting well is essential, and Trump is a 5/2 chance to take the opening eight frames 5-3. The prospect of a deciding frame, meanwhile, is 17/2.
Looking at the handicap betting, punters can enhance Trump’s price to 10/11 if you give him a 4.5 frame deficit to turnaround, while a 17-12 victory is a 10/1 chance for Judd.
