The pair will encounter each other with silverware on the line for the third time in less than a year.
Judd Trump and Neil Robertson will contest the 2020 English Open final at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on Sunday.
Trump won the last three frames to beat John Higgins 6-4 in the semi-finals on Saturday, not long after Robertson edged reigning champion Mark Selby in the opening last-four clash that lasted the distance.
A similarly close title decider could be in store as a couple of the world’s very best competitors renew their rivalry with one another.
Until the 2019/20 campaign was interrupted in March as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Trump and Robertson were the standout players of last term.
The world number one made history by claiming a record six ranking events, while Robertson wasn’t shy of honours either with three trophies accumulated from that period.
Of course, Trump and Robertson twice faced each other in finals with the former coming out on top in the German Masters.
Robertson’s triumph in last year’s Champion of Champions, though, will live long in the memory of many snooker fans for being one of the greatest showdowns in recent times.
The Australian prevailed in a high-scoring, see-saw battle with Trump in a classic tie that ended 10-9.
There will be no crowd in attendance for the 2020 English Open final but many onlookers from afar will be hoping for an equally dramatic affair to wrap up this week’s Home Nations series event.
Trump boasts a marginally superior head-to-head record from their career meetings, but there really isn’t much between them – perhaps highlighted by the fact that neither player has managed to win more than two matches in a row against the other. (excluding the Championship League)
The best-of-17 frame fixture will be expected to feature plenty of big breaks as two of the heaviest scorers in the game take centre stage again.
The outcome will have no immediate bearing on the rankings with Trump still a long way out in front in the official standings and Robertson too far back from world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan to regain second place.
Yet both players will be vying for the £70,000 top prize and the chance to lift the coveted Steve Davis Trophy.
For Robertson, a 19th career ranking tournament success beckons, a tally that would take him above Selby on the all-time list and within just three of Mark Williams in fifth.
Trump, meanwhile, would equal the Melbourne man’s current tally of 18 if he were to emerge as the champion instead.
The 31 year-old’s recent record in ranking event finals has been so impressive that he hasn’t lost any of his last nine encounters when the winner’s cheque has been on the line.
It promises to be a high-quality 2020 English Open final, and you can watch the action live on Eurosport, Quest, and Matchroom.Live (selected regions).
Click here to view the draw. (External Site -Times in CET)
Pingback: Trump: only two players in world can beat me at my best – Yahoo New Zealand News – CoverStory