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'A bit like Federer and Djokovic' - Jimmy White likens Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump rivalry to tennis greats

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Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson lock horns in the UK Championship semi-finals on Saturday afternoon, and Eurosport expert Jimmy White feels their growing rivalry is elevating them to the levels of tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Trump and Wilson are the dominant forces in snooker currently. Watch and stream the UK Championship live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+.

Wilson completes brilliant win over Holt despite falling short on 147 attempt

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jimmy White has likened the burgeoning rivalry between Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson to that of tennis greats Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Djokovic and Federer were part of tennis’ big three alongside Rafael Nadal, and spent years mopping up major tournaments.

Since Wilson made the big leap in his career when winning the World Championship earlier in the year, he has taken his game to a new level.

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Wilson has added the Xi’an Grand Prix and Northern Ireland Open to his trophy cabinet this season, and is second to Trump in the world rankings.

Trump has scooped the Shanghai Masters and Saudi Arabia Masters this term, and his latest clash with Wilson was a defeat in the Northern Ireland Open final.

At present, Trump and Wilson are the outstanding players in the sport, and White praised both ahead of their meeting in the semi-finals of the UK Championship.

'Potting like a demon' - Wilson in fine form to double lead over Holt

Video credit: TNT Sports

Speaking in the Eurosport studio at the Barbican in York, White said: "The No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, world champion.

"Trump has won all these tournaments, Kyren Wilson has won tournaments this season.

"They are going to be playing each other for years and years to come.

"There is a lot of respect. It is a bit like Federer and Djokovic, these two are the most consistent and winning all the tournaments.

"I expect it to be a humdinger today."

Trump told Europsort that his aim in the clash with Wilson would be to make a rapid start.

"We are the two most consistent players of the season by quite far," Trump said: "Another big match in such a great event.

"There is a lot of history in this event, Kyren is coming in as world champion and wants to assert himself as the UK champion as well. But I have won this before and have put myself in a position.

"It is about me going out there and putting my foot down early and getting the job done."

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the UK Championship, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+

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