Champion of Champions Snooker 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Mark Williams BEATS Xiao Guodong in epic final to claim title – updates

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Xiao's sensational run

It's easy to focus on the winner, but important to remember what a fantastic tournament Xiao Guodong had.

The Chinese potter knocked out some huge names on his way to the final, including one Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Here's a look at his sensational route to second place...

• Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-4 Xiao Guodong
• Xiaco Guodong 6-5 Mark Selby
• Mark Allen 3-6 Xiao Guodong
• Xiao Guodong 6-10 Mark Williams

Williams has 'nothing to prove'

Mark Williams has said he can "chill out and enjoy" his career now after admitting he has "nothing to prove anymore".

The Welsh star is one of snooker's greatest ever players and is still showing his quality at 49.

Speaking on ITV4 after adding the Champion of Champions to his stacked trophy cabinet, he said: "I don't think there's any [ITV events] that I haven't won now.

"So I can just chill out and enjoy the rest of my career. I've got nothing to prove to anyone anymore. I've just got to enjoy it.

"You know, even if I had lost today I would have congratulated Xiao and said 'well done'."

Titles 'mean more' now, says Williams

Mark Williams reckons that winning trophies now mean more then they did when he was in his prime.

Williams, now 49, has won 26 ranking titles and three world championships, but thinks that winning is getting better with age.

When asked if the titles "mean more" now, he said: "Yeah, of course they do - 100 per cent.

"I mean, It's another season and I've picked up another trophy. I can't believe it really. I don't know what to say.

"The crowd... it seems the older I'm getting the more support I'm getting from the crowd. It's unbelievable.

"I'm lost for words really, I really am. I'm just over the moon."

A pat on the back

Mark Williams had the audience in stitched during his post-win interview when he gave himself a pat on the back for his success.

What's next?

Here's a look at the snooker action that's right around the corner after the Champion of Champions came to end...

• UK Championship, Nov 23 - Dec 1
• Shoot Out, Dec 4 - 7
• Scottish Open, Dec 9 - Dec 15
• Snooker Championship, Dec 18 - Dec 20
• Masters, Jan 12 - Jan 19

Humble return

After lifting the Champion of Champions trophy and making a huge lump of cash, Mark Williams is staying humble.

The Welsh Potting Machine is going to be a guest professional at a local snooker presentation evening this week.

There will be no jetting off for Williams to splash his cash on a well deserved holiday.

Instead the 49-year-old will be spending his Thursday at the annual Farnham & District Billiards & Snooker League presentation evening.

Williams will play seven exhibition frames with one opponent being drawn out on the night and another being the highest bidder in a charity auction.

Williams' route to the success

Here's a look at how Mark Williams earned his victory last night...

• Williams 4-1 B. Yulu
• K. Wilson 5-6 Williams
• Williams 6-2 N. Robertson
• G. Xiao 6-10 Williams

More from Williams

It is another season where I’ve picked up a trophy. I don’t know what to say really. It seems the older I’m getting, the more support I’m getting from the crowd. It is unbelievable. I’m lost for words.

I’ve got nothing to prove anymore. I’m just going to enjoy it. Even if I’d lost today I would have congratulated Xiao and said well done. I’m over the moon.

Mark Williams

Williams retirement admission

Mark Williams has no plans to walk away from the table just yet after winning his first ever Champion of Champions.

I’m not retiring, I’m going to keep going until I fall off the tour, whenever that is. If I’m coming out in my zimmer frame it doesn’t matter, just carry on.

I’m enjoying it. Winning is obviously good but if I lose I don’t really worry about it, just try your best, it’s all you can do

Mark Williams

Cue a change

Mark Williams won the Champion of Champions with a NEW CUE.

The star potter revealed he had been getting flak from mate Stephen Hendry for choosing to change his cue in such a big tournament, but ultimately proved it was the right decision.

He said: "I had a new cue, which I knew I was going to struggle with, I knew I was going to lose two or three first-rounders.

"I wasn’t worried about that because I really like my new cue and I knew it would come good.

"I’ve been getting slated by a lot of people for changing cues, I’m not going to mention any names Hendry, but it’s starting to come alright now and all of a sudden the cue is the best thing I’ve ever had in my hands."

Hendry's hero

Stephen Hendry labelled Mark Williams as his hero after his sensational win and £150k pay day.

After Williams' 10-6 win over Xiao Guodong, Hendry said: "He’s my hero, I have to say it.

"He is my best mate on tour as well, but what he’s doing at almost 50, how he’s playing and the way he plays with not a care in the world it’s just incredible, I love it."

Williams in disbelief

Mark Williams has claimed he "can't believe" he is still able to win tournaments at his age.

The 49-year-old went pro back in 1992 and won his first ranking title just two years later in 1994.

But some 20 years on from that and he's now won his first ever Champion of Champions event, albeit not a ranking title.

He said: "I can’t believe I am still winning tournaments at my age.

"Winning this event today honestly feels unbelievable.

"Props to Xiao who has been a great player throughout this tournament and a great finalist."

Pay day

Mark Williams will be walking away with £150,000 after his win over Xiao Guodong last night.

But Xiao isn't leaving empty-handed.

The Chinese potter has earned himself a nice pay day of £60,000 for his efforts during the tournament.

Here's a breakdown of how the tournament's prize pot has been spread around.

• Winner: £150,000
• Runner-up: £60,000
• Losing semi-finalists: £30,000
• Losing quarter-finalists: £17,500
• Losers in the last 16: £12,500
• Total: £440,000

More from Williams

The interval came at a good time for me and I carried on tonight. I’m lost for words really. I’m over the moon.

"I knew I was hitting the ball well. Me and Lee Walker, my coach, have been practising at venues really hard, working on a couple of things and we both knew if I can take that into the match table then I can win anything."

Mark WilliamsITV Sport

Williams reaction

"I can’t believe it,"

"I’m stood here just about to pick that trophy up and I don’t know how I’m doing it really, but I’m sticking in there.

"I didn’t really do much wrong for him to come back to 5-4, he just outplayed me for four frames, but the interval came at the perfect time for me because if it carried on, he was probably going to run away with it."

Mark WilliamITV Sport

Family moment

Williams took the time to pose for pictures with his family.

The Welshman shared the moment he was presented with the trophy with his three sons.

Williams, the entertainer

Not only did Mark Williams win the Champion of Champions Snooker tournament.

He also nailed the highest break - with his 140 against Kyren Wilson.

Williams is now £150,000 richer .

Williams the victor

ITV Sport's fancy graphic tells the tale.

Williams has won the trophy that's alluded him for 32 years.

Frame-by-frame stats

Williams is the Champion

Unbelievably, Mark Williams had never won the Champion of Champions.

And he's been a three time world champion.

His resurgence and staying power knows no bounds.

Williams 10-6 Xiao

Williams knows no bounds.

He's taken the next two frames and is the Champion of Champions.

A break of 95 made it 9-6.

Then, the evergreen 50-year-old wins the 16th frame with a 67 break.

How is he still at the top of his game this late in his career?

Williams 8-6 Xiao

It wasn't perfect from Xiao.

He had to think about that frame, leaving himself some tricky reds.

But, with some thoughtful positional play, he was able to close all the colours and win the frame.

Big frame for him, that.

Williams 8-5 Xiao (22-25)

It's tight in this one.

Xiao lets Williams in, who could clear the table quite comfortably here.

The only sticking point is two reds huddle next to each other by the side cushion.

Williams 8-5 Xiao

Williams clears the table to go within two.

He did leave Xiao an opportunity, but he could only miss a point by breaking the pack.

There's no comeback from this, Xiao... is there?