Determined Kyren Wilson has vowed to end Judd Trump’s ‘Grand Slam’ dream as the 2025 Masters reached the business end.
The Warrior spoke after overcoming 2023 Crucible King Luca Brecel at Ally Pally in the quarter-finals on Friday. The defending world champion edged a gripping encounter 6-4, clinching victory with a dramatic 10-minute battle on the pink ball. After the match he called it one of the best of his career – all the more so because he had to over come a bizarre ankle injury.
He explained the injury occurred during his sleep when his foot became awkwardly caught in a tucked-in quilt.
Speaking to SportsBoom.com after the match, Wilson said: “I couldn’t really put weight on it and stand how I would like to naturally and normally. Something I’ve never dealt with before. Never wore a pair of trainers to a snooker match, so let’s see how you can handle it, and yes, pleased that I managed to pass that test.”
Wilson and Judd Trump have a fierce rivalry and the Warrior will be looking to avenge his recent UK Championship semi-final loss, where Trump triumphed 6-2 before claiming the title. Trump remains on track for the highly anticipated “Trump Slam” – becoming the first player to win all four of snooker’s major titles in a single season: the UK Championship, the Masters, the World Championship, and the newly introduced Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Wilson, however, is determined to derail those plans, adding: “I want to put an end to it all. I want to be winning the tournaments. It is nothing against Judd; even if it was another player in my way, I want to make what has already been a successful season even more successful. I’ve got my own goals, my own targets. I’ve just got to focus on my own job at hand.”
Wilson can draw confidence from their past encounters at Ally Pally. He memorably defeated Trump in the 2018 semi-finals, coming back from 5-2 down to secure a spot in his first and only Masters final. Wilson anticipates another classic encounter with Trump in tonight’s semi-final.