World number one and defending champion Judd Trump into the 2025 UK Championship final

Defending champion Trump moves into his fifth UK final and is aiming to become only the second player this century to win back-to-back titles at the sport's second-most prestigious ranking event. Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed successive crowns in 2017 and 2018.

The latest chapter in their long career rivalry, Trump and Robertson shared the opening four frames, going into the mid-session interval locked at 2-2. Breaks of 65 and 82 helped Englishman Trump twice take the lead, but Australian Robertson - who jokingly referenced the ongoing Ashes cricket series during his walk-on - pegged back his opponent both times, and struck the only century of the tie with a 114 in frame four.

After free-flowing snooker in the opening mini-session, on resumption there was a contrast with an epic and action-packed 48-minute fifth frame which concluded in Robertson cross-doubling the final black into the green pocket to nudge in front for the first time.

However, Trump quickly got over that disappointment and went up a gear as he took control by stringing together three consecutive frames along with runs of 72, 53 and 68 to reach the hill at 5-3 up.

Then, after his opponent faltered in frame nine, 30-time ranking event winner Trump punished with a decisive effort of 53 to get over the line.

World number one Trump has not won a title on the World Snooker Tour since defeating Barry Hawkins 10-8 in last year's final here to secure his second crown, although he has appeared in two finals in recent weeks at the Northern Ireland Open and Champion of Champions.

A third UK title - and another top prize of £250,000 - would see the 36-year-old preserve and extend a proud record of having lifted at least one trophy on the circuit in every calendar year since 2014.

‘The Ace in the Pack’ would also become the 12th different winner from as many events this season.

Trump will play the winner of the other semi-final between Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy who meet on Saturday night in York.

Speaking to BBC Sport after his win, Trump said: "I probably just missed a couple less balls than him. It is great to be back in the final - the last few months and weeks have been a lot more consistent.

"It wasn't an amazing standard but I did what I needed to do. I feel good about my game.

"I have been in a few finals recently and it is never nice to be on the losing end. I need to use that as motivation and have the determination to come out on the right end."

World champion in 2019 and a two-time Masters champion, Trump is going for his sixth Triple Crown trophy. Should he get the better of either Selby or Murphy on Sunday, it will be the first time he has successfully defending one of the sport’s three biggest accolades.

Only three players have claimed back-to-back UK Championship titles: Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, and O’Sullivan. Trump can join them later this weekend.

To view the full draw, results, match schedule, and other information from the 2025 UK Championship, visit here.