'The match I've waited 10 years for' - Why Ronnie O'Sullivan v Judd Trump at World Championship is so special
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Published 01/05/2022 at 12:24 GMT
"There are frames; there are tournaments; there are matches: this is the match that I have been waiting for for 10 years," a visibly emotional Alan McManus said in the Eurosport studio as he prepared himself for the World Championship final between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump at the Crucible. Stream the 2022 World Championship and more top snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+
'The match I've waited 10 years for' - O'Sullivan v Trump thrills McManus
Ronnie O'Sullivan taking on Judd Trump in the World Championship final at the Crucible is the match that Eurosport expert Alan McManus has waited for "for 10 years" - and he has explained why.
It is a mouthwatering encounter in Sheffield with world No. 1 O'Sullivan, who is seeking to equal Stephen Hendry's record of Crucible triumphs, taking on a player who has been a dominant force in snooker for years in Trump.
It certainly is a match-up to savour at the Crucible, and McManus made it abundantly clear just how special he regarded the final to be - even before it had begun.
"There are frames; there are tournaments; there are matches: this is the match that I have been waiting for for 10 years," McManus said in the Eurosport studio.
"Judd has had his dominance. Ronnie has dominated off-and-on for a long period of time. Now it feels like they are coming together and I just want to know who is going to win.
"It is not about money; it is not about silverware; it is not about titles: it is about who is the best over the next two days.
"That is all I want to know - who is the best - and I cannot wait to find out."
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‘I was a bit unsettled!’ – O’Sullivan on 'seatgate', lack of dressing room and missing chalk
The 46-year-old wrapped up a 17-11 victory over his old foe Higgins to set up a Crucible final to truly savour with Judd Trump on Sunday and Monday.
It is the fifth occasion in O’Sullivan’s illustrious career that he has occupied the world No. 1 ranking, and the first time since 2019, as he continues his pursuit of a record-equalling seventh world title.
Despite playing some sublime snooker in Sheffield this fortnight, O'Sullivan did reveal that he felt "unsettled" during his win over Higgins due to a number of factors beyond his control - from a wet seat to arriving and finding himself without a dressing room.
Trump, meanwhile, showed admirable resolve to repel a stunning Mark Williams comeback to clinch the deciding frame and book his place in the final against O'Sullivan.
The 32-year-old has not triumphed at the Crucible since 2019 despite repeatedly holding the No. 1 world ranking and being a consistently dominant force at the top of the game.
The Bristolian will be hoping for similarly smooth preparation to what O'Sullivan will be seeking following the two titanic semi-finals in Sheffield as both players vie for a famous win on the very biggest stage.
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'I can’t pot as well as Neil or Judd' – O’Sullivan on why there is ‘less margin for error’ now
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