Stephen Hendry talked about Judd Trump’s loss to Mark Williams as a ‘worrying performance’ as he gets ready for the Crucible challenge later this month.
Trump has had a fantastic season, winning five ranking titles, but he delivered a poor performance in a 10-4 loss to Williams in the quarter-finals in Manchester.
The 34-year-old missed several opportunities and only made two half-centuries as he was convincingly beaten by the Welsh veteran.
ITV Snooker analyst Neal Foulds commented: ‘He really did not play well, in fact that’s the worst I’ve seen him play the whole season.’
Despite his successful season, he will head to Sheffield as one of the favorites to win the World Championship, but Hendry suggests that he should be worried about his performance in Manchester and should analyze his preparation for the tournament.
‘The way he started, the first frame set the tone, he had four or five chances,’ Hendry said on ITV4. ‘If that was me I would look at the preparation, what’s gone on coming into the tournament. If I played like that in the first frame it would normally be because I hadn’t prepared properly. Maybe there’s something in that area.
‘It’s a worrying performance two weeks before the World Championship.’
Hendry definitely does not feel the same way about Ronnie O’Sullivan, who easily won his quarter-final against Ali Carter, defeating the Captain 10-2.
The Scot is unsure who can stop the Rocket over the coming week in Manchester or in Sheffield.
When asked who can beat the world number one, Hendry said: ‘It’s a good question, a very good question. If I’m honest I’m struggling for an answer because he’s brushing aside everyone that he’s playing, really.
‘In his first round against Ali Carter, the first three or four frames, the odd little mistake, feeling out his opponent. If it was boxing, a few little jabs in there, then goes for the killer punch and destroys him. He’s got everything.’
O’Sullivan will face Gary Wilson in a best-of-19 on Friday, with Williams playing Mark Allen in the second semi-final on Saturday.
Allen admitted he was a bit surprised to see Williams beat Trump so comfortably and expects a challenging match over two sessions against the three-time world champion.
‘The scoreline for Mark Williams tonight was a bit of a surprise but he is one of the all-time greats,’ said the Pistol. ‘I will need to play well and I always look forward to playing him.’
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