Trump stuns Williams to snatch Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters glory
Trump snatched Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters glory in the most dramatic fashion (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)
Judd Trump captured the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters title with a dramatic 10-9 victory over Mark Williams on the final black in Riyadh.
The Ace looked set to miss out on his second title of the season – following his Shanghai Masters triumph in July – as Williams built a 62-0 advantage in the deciding frame.
However, a missed red opened the door for Trump to produce a nerveless 72 clearance to snatch the £500,000 top prize from under the Welshman’s nose.
In addition to pocketing the joint-biggest pay cheque of his career, the world number one also landed his 29th ranking title; moving above Steve Davis to fourth place on the all-time list behind Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and John Higgins.
Trump entered the final having won 14 of the 15 matches he had played this season, in which he was also runner-up to Kyren Wilson at the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix.
Despite losing the opening frame, he pinched the second on the black and won the next three for a 4-1 lead.
Williams responded with back-to-back centuries of 121 and 132 to cut the gap to a single frame, but Trump controlled the next to secure an advantage heading into the evening session.
The Welshman took to X to reveal his frustration at his performance to that point, and re-emerged with a fresh haircut for the conclusion to the showpiece.
He appeared invigorated as he won four of the next five frames, with breaks of 101 and 77 moving him 7-6 to the good.
Trump regained the lead at 8-7 with runs of 76 and 65, but Williams controlled the following frame before a sublime 138 total clearance moved him within a frame of a 27th ranking title.
But the Bristolian knew it was no time for panic. After all, he found himself in the showpiece having trailed Wu Yize 4-0 in his opening match of the week.
A timely 90 took the final to the wire and when Williams missed a tricky red on 62, he epitomised a picture of coolness personified; producing a couple of smart shots to develop tied-up reds as he cleared before punching the air when sinking the decisive black.