The Crucible Theatre is the home of snooker once again as the World Championship unfolds, from April 19 to May 5, 2014. Only Judd and Neil are involved and they are in the same half of the draw. Neil beat Judd by 13-11 in the quarter finals. Neil lost by 17-15 to Mark Selby in what was one of the best semi finals at the Crucible.
Neil finally made the ton of tons in frame 22 of the quarters!

Last 32

Judd Trump 10-8 Tom Ford
Scores: 72-40; 62-74; 87(62)-31; 57-72; 66-59; 60-53; 85-30; 61-47; 0-80(57); 0-73; 4-111(65); 61-52; 48-61; 72(72)-0; 34-92(76); 0-83(56); 71-30; 60-27
Referee: Michaela Tabb

Not the best performance from Judd – a mere 82% pot success summarises how poor he was. Judd said afterwards that he was bored because of his opponent slow play and went for basically everything …
Listen to his own assessment of the match:

Neil Robertson 10-2 Robbie Williams
Scores: 129(52,77)-8; 132(132)-0; 49-63; 59-19; 69-9; 132(55,63)-5; 103(103)-0; 52-42; 50-72; 61(61)-51(51); 144(140)-0; 102(102)-0
Centuries: Robertson: 103, 132, 140, 102
Referee: Paul Collier

Good first session by Neil, adding 2 centuries to his season tally as well. And he wrapped up the second session in double quick time. He’s now on 97 centuries this season.
He was super-confident after the match. Listen what he had to say:

Last 16

Judd Trump 13-7 Ryan Day
Scores: 71(70)-6; 37-69; 72-63(56); 38-64; 65-64; 76(76)-14; 76-0; 78(78)-0; 0-125(107); 68-25; 1-80(80); 7-73(55); 91-6; 69-33; 64(64)-62(61); 0-78(73); 10-84(54); 66-47; 101(54)-12; 69-14
Centuries: Day: 107

Judd played a lot better in this first session than he had in round 1. The first four frames were shared, but, after the MSI Judd dominated the match. In the second session, frames were shared. Ryan was often first in, but missed before being safe and Judd punished him. The story continued in the third session, with Ryan looking really off his game at times, and Judd without playing really well wrapped it up before the MSI.

Listen to Judd’s press conference after the match:

Neil Robertson 13-7 Mark Allen
Scores: 43-66; 78(69)-0; 8-74(62); 74(50)-40; 100(100)-40; 0-92(92); 62(55)-60(56); 0-82(82); 76(72)-13; 1-71(71); 63-56; 0-81(77); 27-84(84); 137(137)-0; 69-5; 68-48; 68(59)-28; 84(69)-6; 94(94)-0; 92(92)-0
Centuries: Robertson: 100, 137

A very, very close high quality match. Up to 7-7 there was never more than a frame between the players, then Neil pulled two ahead at the end of the second session.
Neil played awesome and wrapped the match before the MSI in the last session. He was pleased with his performance but disappointed to come close to make the ton of tons and missing out. In particular, he was disappointed to miss THIS black when he was on 94!

Listen to Neil’s press conference after the match:

Last 8

Neil Robertson 13-11 Judd Trump
Scores: 59-3; 19-64(63); 0-77; 49-68; 1-111(107); 35-76(60); 63-49; 12-117(117); 73-20; 65-13; 0-91(57); 68-32; 82(61)-22; 32-67(50); 43-77(57); 92(52)-19; 61-53; 14-74; 9-69(55); 69-31; 70(70)-1; 101(101)-0; 68-0; 65-35
Centuries: Robertson: 101, Trump: 107, 117
Judd played extremely well whilst Neil was nowhere near the form that he showed against Mark Allen. The ton of tons will have to wait. And speaking of tons, Judd had a 107 and a 117 when, surprisingly, he didn’t have a century in the tournament until today.

In the second session Neil came back as close as 7-6 down, but Judd pulled away again, winning the two last of the session to make it 9-6. The ton of tons is still eluding Neil.
In the third session Neil fought his way back and finally hit THAT century he needed to make it 100 in the season in frame 22, making it 11-11 as well. From there he just dominated the last two frames to finish the job.
Listen to both players reactions:

Semi Finals

Mark Selby 17-15 Neil Robertson
Scores: 65(65)-1; 55(54)-61; 41-75; 138(133)-0; 88-34; 71-21; 119(72)-1; 0-130(130); 25-103; 3-119(113); 73(53)-32; 66-24; 8-91(72); 88-26; 73(64)-20; 53(53)-61(61); 119(104)-1; 0-94(85); 48-80; 32-77; 73(73)-36; 66-31; 42-79(64); 8-77; 11-75(74); 79(79)-47; 78-29; 0-85(53); 84(77)-1; 74(54)-29; 14-108(108); 74(74)-1
Centuries: Selby: 133, 104, Robertson: 130, 113, 108
Neil struggled a bit whilst Mark Selby played quite well (94% pot success). Neil though finished the session with another century, n° 101 this season, to trail on 5-3.

Again Mark Selby dominated the second session and it looked as if Neil was going to trail 10-6 at the end of it, but Mark Selby missed a black off its spot when 53-0 up and Neil cleared to the pink to win 61-53. It could prove crucial when they resume tomorrow.
In the third session, Neil refused to go away and managed to win the last 2 ones to come even with Selby. It’s best of 9 tonight!
Both players played really well in the last session but it was Mark who prevailed. Neil didn’t do much wrong – and acknowledged it – but was still very disappointed to miss out a crack at the final.
Listen to Neil speaking to the media after the SF: