Evergreen Williams Knocks Out Trump

Mark Williams became the oldest Crucible finalist at the age of 50 as he beat world number one Judd Trump 17-14 in the semi-finals of the Halo World Championship, setting up a tie with Zhao Xintong. 

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Williams came to Sheffield with low expectations, claiming he would be an "easy draw" for any qualifier due to problems with his eyesight, and still insists the balls are "blurry", but he has played fantastic snooker over the past fortnight and the veteran Welshman now finds himself in a fifth Crucible final. He lost the first of those, back in 1999, then went on to lift the trophy in 2000, 2003 and 2018.

Remarkably, having turned 50 in March and having turned pro 33 years ago, he now has the chance of a fourth world crown which would match the tallies of John Higgins and Mark Selby. Williams surpasses Ray Reardon, who was 49 when he lost to Alex Higgins in 1982, as the oldest finalist, and victory would see him easily beat the record as the oldest champion, ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan who was 46 in 2022.

Over a possible 35 frames on Sunday and Monday, he will take on fellow left-hander Zhao in a clash of generations. The age gap of 22 years is the biggest ever between two Crucible finalists, and Williams will hope that his superior experience and tactical nous will be too much for his gifted Chinese opponent.  First to 18 will lift the trophy and bank the top prize of £500,000.

From 7-3 down in the early stages against Trump, Williams recovered to win 14 of the last 21 frames to reach the 43rd ranking event final of his career. He is chasing a 27th ranking title, first since the 2024 Tour Championship, and he could become the oldest ever ranking event winner, taking another record from Reardon who was 50 years and 14 days old when he won the 1982 Professional Players Tournament.

Success against Trump is particularly satisfying for Williams as he lost 17-16 to the same player when they met here in the semi-finals three years ago, and 10-9 on the last black in the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters last September. 

Trump was outstanding over the first three rounds but missed a few crucial pots at key moments, notably at 7-3 and 10-9, and was gradually worn down by a determined opponent. Another year ticks by for the Bristol cueman, who must win multiple Crucible crowns to seal his place among snooker's all-time greats. However the 35-year-old has enjoyed a tremendous season, winning three titles, setting a new record of 107 centuries in a single campaign, as well as a new prize money record of £1,680,600.    

Leading 13-11, Williams started the opening frame tonight with a break of 67 before missing a red to a top corner. There was still enough on the table for Trump to snatch it but he reached just 16 before failing to pot an awkward red with the rest, allowing Williams to extend his lead. Trump had an early scoring chance in frame 26 but made only 5 before a red to a top corner hit the near jaw, letting Williams in for 65 to go 15-11 clear.

A superb 104 saw Trump close the gap, but Williams responded immediately with 100 to lead 16-12. After the interval, Trump dominated frame 29 with breaks of 42 and 34. Williams had his first match-winning chance in the 30th, but on 14 he over-cut a red to centre, and Trump replied with a run of 116, his 14th century of this year's tournament and career 100th in the World Championship. 

Early in frame 31, Trump converted a fine pot on a red to centre, then went for a risky cut-back black and missed the target. Williams finished the match in style with a 123 clearance, punching the air and saluting wife Joanne and their three sons in the crowd as he crossed the winning post.

"I was starting to sweat towards the end, when Judd came back at me," said world number six Williams, who was within millimetres of being knocked out at the quarter-final stage when John Higgins missed match-ball blue. "I was under pressure and felt it, so to make a century to get to the final - I can't believe it. I have played well all through the tournament. I don't know how I am competing with the number one player in the world, over a three-day match. I have to be proud of myself because there are not many who could beat Judd over such a long match. 

"In the last few tournaments I was struggling. For a couple of weeks I practised four or five hours a day with (coach) Lee Walker, with and without contact lenses. In the end I left the decision to Lee whether I should keep them in, and he felt I play better without them. 

"I am looking forward to playing Zhao. I played him in an exhibition in China when he was 12. It was 1-1 and then he knocked in 130 and 138 to beat me 3-1. Here we are 16 years later and I am playing him in the world final. I am just happy to be there. If I win and get to four world titles, what an achievement."  

Trump said: "There was a frame to go 11-9 which I messed up. Mark kept potting the important balls and I missed a few or ran out of position, and I played a few loose safeties. Otherwise I didn't play badly. It was fine margins, on another day it could have been a different result. But over three days he played some great snooker and put me under a lot of pressure.

"I had a tough draw, I would have fancied beating anyone else in the tournament. I saw the other semi-final and I think if Mark plays to the same standard there is no doubt he will win. I hope he plays like that and I think he will, I think his all round game will be too good for Zhao. I hope it goes close. It will be a good final for snooker, the old guard and new talent with very diferent styles."  

The final starts on Sunday at 1pm.