World Snooker Championship 2025: Mark Williams defeats Judd Trump 17-14 in semi-final

Three-time champion Mark Williams produced a antique show to defeat international primary Judd Trump 17-14, changing into the oldest ever participant to achieve a World Championship last.

The Welshman, who became 50 in March, eclipses his compatriot Ray Reardon, who gained the identify six occasions and gave the impression within the 1982 last as a 49-year-old.

Williams had trailed 7-3 early within the fit however his enduring elegance shone via as he reined within the 2019 winner to 8-8 on Friday, then pulled transparent over two periods on Saturday to avenge his 17-16 loss to Trump of their last-four Crucible mystery in 2022.

Resuming 13-11 up, the Welshman took the primary two frames with part centuries sooner than Trump replied along with his 106th century of a fruitful marketing campaign, which has yielded six appearances in finals.

However, when Trump hit a security shot too thinly, it left Williams a few of the balls and he capitalised with a very good 100 ruin of his personal to steer 16-12 on the mid-session period.

The 35-year-old Englishman, who used to be taking a look so as to add to his international crown from 2019, took the 29th body and made a 116 clearance when Williams neglected a crimson to the left heart to get again to 16-14.

His hopes of a revival have been dashed when he neglected a hard black to the suitable nook and Williams wrapped up a well-known victory along with his 2d century of the night time.

Williams will now face China’s Zhao Xintong within the first international last to be contested by means of two left-handed avid gamers.

Their best-of-35 stumble upon gets beneath approach on Sunday at 13:00 BST, which shall be live to tell the tale BBC Two.