Judd Trump Edges Mark Williams to Win First Saudi Arabia Masters

Judd Trump clinched the inaugural Saudi Arabia Masters title with a dramatic final frame victory over Mark Williams. At 35, Trump made a crucial break of 72 to secure a 10-9 win after Williams missed a key red ball while leading by 62 points. Trump initially struggled and even considered booking flights home while trailing 4-0 to Wu Yize in his first match.

However, he triumphed in the final and earned £500,000 for his historic win, the first ranking event held in Saudi Arabia. “I’m in shock,” Trump admitted, acknowledging Williams’ stronger performance throughout the match. “I just found something at the end.”

With this victory, Trump now holds 29 ranking titles, surpassing Steve Davis to move into fourth place on the all-time list, behind only Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and John Higgins. His win follows a strong season where he has won 14 of his last 15 matches.

Despite Trump’s impressive performance, tension marked the final. Williams, who mounted a strong comeback and scored a 138 break, praised Trump’s resilience. “It just shows what a champion he is,” Williams said, acknowledging the challenging circumstances under which Trump won.

The Saudi Arabia Masters final became the most lucrative snooker match outside the World Championship. Judd Trump expressed hope for the tournament’s future, stating that if it continues to improve, it could become a truly special event.

However, critics have highlighted Saudi Arabia’s use of sports investments to enhance its global image amid ongoing human rights controversies, a practice often referred to as sportswashing.