Tenacious Judd Trump to play Joe Perry in Welsh Open final
Trump is through to his second ranking final in two weeks (Photo by John Walton/PA Images)
Judd Trump will play Joe Perry in the Welsh Open final after an inspired comeback to beat Hossein Vafaei 6-5 on Saturday.
The winner of 22 ranking titles, this trophy has eluded Trump since his first appearance in the event in 2006.
The Ace’s latest quest appeared to be coming to an end as he trailed 5-3 against Shootout winner Vafaei.
However the 2017 runner-up, who is still seeking his maiden ranking silverware of the campaign, won the last three frames to reach his second final.
The most successful player in Home Nations history with four titles, this was Trump’s 10th semi-final in the series.
But despite a break of 70, he trailed 3-1 as Vafaei had contributions of 94 and 85.
Trump responded with 51 before a brilliant long brown paved the way for him to level at 3-3 on the black.
World number 21 Vafaei took a closely fought seventh frame on the blue, before a run of 49 moved him to the brink of victory at 5-3 up.
But the Iranian scored just one point in the next two; Trump producing timely breaks of 66 and 121 to force a decider, which he also dominated to scrape over the line.
Standing in his way of lifting the Ray Reardon trophy is Perry, who also prevailed in a deciding frame against Jack Lisowski.
The Gentleman was appearing in his third Welsh Open semi-final, having also reached this stage in 2014 and 2016.
He made a strong start with a run of 59 helping establish a 3-0 lead, but Lisowski responded with contributions of 64 and 69 as he won three of the next four frames to stay within touching distance.
Former Players Championship winner Perry, who has slipped to 42nd in the world rankings following a difficult season, took the next to stand on the edge of a first ranking final since the 2018 European Masters.
World number 17 Lisowski, who recovered from two down with three to play against Ali Carter in the quarter-finals, threatened to do the same as he forced a decider with breaks of 71 and 123.
However, the Gentleman held his nerve to reach the sixth ranking final of his career.
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Welsh Open Snooker 2022 Results
Saturday March 5
Semi-Finals
Judd Trump 6-5 Hossein Vafaei
Jack Lisowski 5-6 Joe Perry