| 2023 Masters |
|---|
| Venue: Alexandra Palace, London Dates: 8 January-15 January |
| Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV and Red Button with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app |
Judd Trump said his Masters win over Mark Williams was his “best ever” after claiming the title for a second time.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Trump, whose first title came in 2019, hit a brilliant 126 break to seal the win after battling back from 7-6 and 8-7 down to win a thrilling match 10-8.
“It’s incredible really, I got totally outplayed,” Trump told BBC Sport.
“At 8-7 down I was gone. I should have been out in the first round, out in the second round and I should have lost this one, I’m like a cat.”
He added: “I think with the way I played this week, this is my best ever performance to grind out to win this. I wasn’t playing well. I missed balls over the pockets by a mile.
“Mark’s long potting was unbelievable. He put me under so much pressure. I was never able to fall two behind and this is by far my best ever win.”
Williams had been cast as the pre-match favourite by Trump and was aiming to become the oldest Masters champion at the age of 47 years and 300 days.
The Welshman last won the title 20 years ago and this final was almost 25 years on from his epic victory over Stephen Hendry, when Englishman Trump was still at primary school.
Trump takes thriller
While neither player was at their absolute best in the afternoon session, which Trump edged 5-3, Sunday evening’s resumption felt like a continuation of their remarkable World Championship semi-final last April.
That contest included eight centuries and 15 half-centuries before Trump emerged victorious.
Williams made several trademark long pots and a break of 50 to claw back a frame but Trump, seeking his first trophy since the Turkish Masters in March 2022, responded with a 66 to immediately restore his two-frame advantage.
A break of 80 and a run of 52 brought Williams level at 6-6 to leave the match delicately poised at the interval and he then took a tense 13th frame.
A protracted 14th frame containing several nervy tactical exchanges and lasting 58 minutes saw Trump get back to 7-7 but Williams recaptured his rhythm in the next with sublime 107 that showed few traces of nerves.
As tension rose in the 16th frame both players made miscalculations and left the other with opportunities before Trump played a fantastic double on his way to making it 8-8.
And Trump wrapped up victory in superb fashion with a half-century and century to become the 11th player to win multiple Masters titles.
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