Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Judd Trump claims £500k jackpot after thrilling final against Williams
JUDD TRUMP has beaten Mark Williams in a thrilling Saudi Arabia Masters final.
Trump led 5-3 after the opening session, but Williams found his form in the evening and set up a thrilling finish against the World No1.
The Ace hung in and edged the final frame to win 10-9 and go home with the whopping £500,000 jackpot.
- Final result: Mark Williams 9-10 Judd Trump
- Explainers: Full results and prize money
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Relive the final clearance
Here's how Judd Trump stormed back from 62-0 down in the final frame to stun Mark Williams and take home that £500,000 prize.
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World championship odds
Talking of odds, Ronnie O'Sullivan remains the favourite to win a record eighth title at the Crucible next year - despite the Rocket continuing to say he is struggling for form.
Here's the current favoruites (altough we are still eight months away with loads to play for).
- Ronnie O'Sullivan - 7/2
- Judd Trump - 4/1
- Mark Selby - 10/1
- Kyren Wilson - 10/1
- Mark Allen - 12/1
- Neil Robertson - 14/1
- Mark Williams - 18/1
- Luca Brecel - 25/1
- Ding Junhui - 25/1
- Shaun Murphy - 25/1
Trump over Davis
Wow, Judd Trump's win in Saudi Arabia - that takes him to a total of 29 ranking titles in his career, incredibly moving him past snooker legend Steve Davis on the all-time list.
Davis does hold the edge in world titles, of course, holding six to just one for Trump.
But odds on the Juddernaut winning the World Championships have shortened considerably after this win and his blistering start to the season.
Brentwood calling
Snooker fans won't have long to wait to see the world's best back in action.
The English Open in Brentwood, Essex, starts on September 16 with the likes of Judd Trump, Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan all confirmed to play.
Trump is the defending champion there as well, with the top seeded players set to enter at round three.
Mark Allen, who was recently world No 1 but has no slipped to No 3, said: "“It will be great. We have a run of events with the English Open, then the British Open and Belfast (Northern Ireland Open) around the corner. I love the travelling, but it is also nice to be back in the UK.
“Brentwood hasn’t always brought good results for me but I would like to go there and put that right this year. I feel I have been consistent and going to the business end of a lot of tournaments so it would be nice to go one further.
"I’ve never been to the final of the English Open so it would be nice to be there come Sunday night and be in with a chance."
Williams stunned
The beaten finalist looked like he had the trophy - and that £500k top prize.
The Welshman was leading 62-0 in the final frame before he missed a red and gave chance to come back and secure one of the very best clearances of his career - and that we've seen in recent years, given the huge stakes.
Williams said: "I nearly had a good break in the last. It was a red I fancied getting, but it wasn't as if I twitched, I hit it well and thought it was in.
"It just shows what a great champion he is, what a break he has made there. For half a million pounds, 62 behind and two reds safe. What can I say? Congratulations to him."
'Best clearance in my career'
Trump has enjoyed some magical moments in his career but the world No 1 is in no doubt as to where that epic final frame ranks.
Right at the very top.
He said: "With it being the last frame and having not played my best snooker all day, I would probably put that top of the best clearances in my career. To produce that under the utmost pressure is such a nice feeling.
"It is a big event which I looked like I was going to lose. I managed to turn it around in the end.
“I’m incredibly proud to be the first winner here. My record in new events is very good and I had that in the back of my mind.
"I always have that bit of self-belief in there when I really need it. I managed to rely on that today and make that incredible clearance."
'Elation'
Judd Trump was clearly absolutely delighted at taking home the top prize from Saudi Arabia.
The win cements at the top of snooker as the world's best player and gives him a sizeable margin that will be hard for other players to catch.
He said: “To be honest I’m not someone who gets emotional after I win, but there was so much elation there. I had my back to the wall the whole game.
"That feeling when the black went in was disbelief. There was so much adrenaline pumping in my body. It is probably the happiest I’ve ever been to win a tournament.
"It was an incredible feeling and one that I won’t forget for a while.”
Williams hails climax of classic contest
Mark Williams reckons he and victor Judd Trump saved their best until last.
Williams was pipped 10-9 from 9-8 up, as well as leading 62-0 in the decider.
The disappointed Welshman said: "It just shows what a champ he is, what a break (at the end) - and half a million he's won)!"
Williams added: "I didn't play my best all week, to be honest.
"Then I got to the final and towards the end it was probably the best the both of us have played."
Trump claims Williams was much better than him
Judd Trump blitzed back in the final frame for a 10-9 final win but claimed Mark Williams was "much better" than him.
The World No1 said: "I'm in shock. I struggled. Mark was the better player.
"His long potting - I've never seen anyone do that.
!I don't deserve to win. It won't mean anything to him but he was the much better player - he deserved to win."
Trump wins!
Trump's 72 clearance nicks an incredible 10-9 win in the final of the first-ever Saudi Arabia Masters.
He took the final frame 72-62.
Williams 9-9 Trump
Trump is on the brink of an astonishing last-frame win - as he passes a 50 break.
Williams 9-9 Trump
Trump is now closing fast on Williams' sizeable lead.
Williams 9-9 Trump
Williams missed an easy-ish red at 62-0 up.
That's given Trump real hope - and he pulled off a brilliant, bold red cut to the middle as he began to build.
What a finish to the match we have!
Williams 9-9 Trump
Williams is looking good - past 40 without Trump scoring.
And the reds are bunched pretty promisingly.
Williams 9-9 Trump
Trump confirmed his dominance of the 18th frame to take the final all the way.
Williams 9-8 Trump
Just when he needs it, Trump is off to a flier - past 70 without reply.
If he takes this frame the final goes all the way to a 19th.
Williams 9-8 Trump
Williams went 9-8 with a stunning 138 clearance.
He's ONE FRAME from victory
Williams 8-8 Trump
Yet again Williams strikes early - passing 50 without reply.
The balls look inviting too as he continues to build.
Williams 8-8 Trump
Trump filed to make the most of his opportunity and Williams strode away with the frame to level the match.
Williams 7-8 Trump
Williams went 43-0 up in the 16th frame - but a loose safety shot let in Trump.
The Englishman cut a red into the middle pocket to open up the table.
Williams 7-8 Trump
Trump is back in front - with an imperious break that only ended with a wild attempt at the pink that sent it crashing off the table.
Williams 7-7 Trump
Trump has edged his way back - and into the lead.
The balls are placed nicely for him to take this frame.
Williams 7-7 Trump
Williams is again off to a strong start in the 15th leg - passing 30 without a reply.
But in the end he had to settle for a decent safety start at 35-0 up.
Williams 7-7 Trump
Trump roared back to level.
Williams 7-6 Trump
Williams off to an early lead in the 14th frame.
But Trump is back at the table - with a great chance of a huge break.