John Higgins requires remarkable powers of recovery if he is to avoid defeat in the World Championship final for the third straight year Judd Trump has taken a 12-5 lead in the World Championship final over Higgins The 43-year-old will need a big recovery if he is to avoid a third straight final loss The match was poised at 5-5 but Trump won the final eight frames of the day By Joe Downes For The Daily Mail Published: 23:00 BST, 5 May 2019 | Updated: 23:00 BST, 5 May 2019 Viewcomments John Higgins warmed up for the World Championship final by taking his family to see the new Avengers film. A day later, he had to sit and watch a thrilling performance from Judd Trump at the Crucible Theatre. Higgins won the last of his four world titles when the pair met at this stage in 2011. That was a classic, Higgins overturning a 10-7 overnight deficit to win 18-15. Eight years on, he requires even greater powers of recovery if he is to win the sequel and avoid defeat in the final here for the third straight year. Judd Trump has taken command of the snooker World Championship final ahead of Higgins Higgins will need powers of recovery to overcome as 12-5 deficit after the first day The first session was shared but Trump blew his rival away Sunday night, winning the last eight frames to take a 12-5 lead and a giant step towards his maiden world crown. It was a pulsating day. The record number of centuries in a world final is eight, but Trump and Higgins struck seven in the first 13 frames of the showpiece which concludes on Monday. Higgins may be appearing in his eighth world final - only Stephen Hendry (nine) has been in more - but his presence this time is unexpected. Having threatened to quit the sport midway through this barren campaign - citing his 'garbage' play after an early exit at December's UK Championship - the Scot's renaissance over the past fortnight has been remarkable. Judd Trump remarkably won the final eight frames of the day after the score was tied at 5-5 The 43-year-old was taken the distance by David Gilbert in the semi-final so may be tired But the 43-year-old was taken the distance by David Gilbert in their semi-final, so it was no surprise that Trump - 14 years younger and a winner of three titles this season - started and finished the stronger. He quickly opened a two-frame lead but Higgins responded emphatically, getting off the mark with a 139 total clearance - the joint-third highest break in a Crucible final. Trump restored breathing space with a century of his own before the interval, a pause which was timely for Higgins who returned with breaks of 69, 40 and 101 to take the lead, before Trump steadied the ship with 103 to end the first session level. Trump complained the auditorium was too cold but he was red hot for most of the night Higgins continued the heavy scoring at the start of the evening's play with 125 - his 11th century of the past fortnight having made 20 tons all season before arriving in Sheffield. Trump complained the auditorium was too cold but the man from Bristol was red hot thereafter, winning the last eight frames of the day. His blitz included two more centuries, the first of which he finished by cheekily potting the black with his cue behind his back. There is work still to do, but Trump is already in party mood. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility