World Snooker Championship 2022: Judd Trump stages superb fightback against Ronnie O’Sullivan

Judd Trump staged a superb fightback to move back to within three frames of Ronnie O’Sullivan at 14-11 in the World Championship final.

Six-time champion O’Sullivan twice replied with half-centuries to re-establish sizable leads.

But a stylish 105 from Trump leaves the match delicately poised prior to the final session at 19:00 BST.

O’Sullivan had arrived at the Crucible hoping to equal Stephen Hendry’s record of seven world titles in the modern era by wrapping up victory with a session to spare, for the first time since the Scot defeated Jimmy White 18-5 in 1993.

However, for the first time in this year’s Championship, he ended up losing a session, as Trump, who had toiled badly on Sunday, produced his best form of the final.

If Trump were to complete an epic comeback on Monday evening, it would be the second biggest turnaround in Crucible history, after Dennis Taylor’s famous revival from 8-0 down to win the 1985 final against Steve Davis.

Even though Trump looked in fine touch from the moment he made his first century, it was difficult to imagine him finding a serious route back into the match, when he appeared to lose a pivotal 21st frame.

Well set on 45, he missed a plant to the right middle and saw O’Sullivan, who had failed to pot a ball for over 25 minutes make a break of 64 to take the frame.

With the tension mounting both players were guilty of unexpected misses, with Trump

Trump reduced the deficit to three frames by taking the next two, including a potentially pivotal 23rd frame in which O’Sullivan trickled a red into the jaws of the top pocket, and Trump nervously cleared to pink to make it 13-10.

A missed black off its spot cost Trump dear in the next, as he let in O’Sullivan for a break of 51 which proved enough for him to restore a four-frame lead.

More to follow.

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