Judd Trump overcomes Mark Williams in thrilling Masters snooker final at Alexandra Palace

Updated 15/01/2023 at 23:48 GMT

For the second time in his career, Judd Trump has won the Masters title following a thrilling contest with Mark Williams, coming out as a 10-8 victor at Alexandra Palace. It was a real ding-dong encounter, and having led 5-3 at the interval, Trump was pegged back as Williams took four of the next five frames. The 33-year-old rolled up his sleeves, however, digging in to get over the line.

The moment Judd Trump sealed the Masters title

Judd Trump claimed his second Masters title after edging a nail-biting classic with Mark Williams 10-8 at Alexandra Palace.

The 'Ace in the Pack' has not been at his best during the tournament, but once more he rolled his sleeves up and showed his best battling qualities to take the £250,000 top prize for the first time since 2019.

Trump led Williams 5-3 at the halfway point after a rollercoaster afternoon session. He won four frames in a row to take a 4-1 lead, before Williams took the next two frames. However, Trump won the final frame to ensure he took a slim advantage going into Sunday night.

World Championship

'The sky is the limit' - White and McManus lavish praise on Si

25 minutes ago

Williams looked sharp by knocking in two long reds to win the opening frame of the evening, but Trump responded with a break of 67 to restore his two-frame lead.

Trump went for an ambitious double in the 11th frame, but missed it and left the red he took on. Williams stepped in and was once again back within touching distance of his opponent after making a speedy 80.

Despite a flamboyant plant from Trump, Williams levelled the match up at 6-6 at the mid-session with momentum now on his side.

As has been the case for most of the week, Trump’s long potting game was below par and Williams was cueing beautifully as he took the lead for the first time since the first frame.

'By far my best ever win' – Trump on 'Selby-ing' his way to the title

An epic 14th frame, which lasted 58 minutes, saw both players go head-to-head with a fascinating safety exchange, as well as missing chances.

Six reds were nestled together underneath the black spot and it was Trump who blinked first when a red drifted over the pocket. Williams made two mini breaks, while Trump also potted two reds and a brown to leave the frame tied at 46-46 with one red left.

Trump had the upper hand in the safety exchange and laid some snookers which Williams failed to get out of. The points racked up and Trump led 73-46 with five of the colours remaining, meaning Williams needed a snooker. Trump eventually prevailed to make it 7-7.

Williams, however, dusted himself down immediately and went back to work, making a break of 107 to retake the lead and move to within two frames of victory.

But Trump was not prepared to surrender just so easily. His natural scoring game was letting him down but he continued to fight for every point and took yet another scrappy frame as a ding-dong battle continued to enthral, setting up a best of three for the prize.

The 17th frame was far from plain sailing again for Trump as a promising break ended with just 59 to show for it. Williams closed that gap to 19 but he would eventually snooker himself on the pink, a move that would prove costly, as Trump sealed the deal to retake the lead at a crucial stage of the contest.

Could he hold his nerve in the 18th frame? Suddenly the shackles were off and Trump finally found his best snooker to win the match in style, stringing together a fantastic 126.