Mark Williams became the oldest ever Crucible finalist as he ended Judd Trump’s World Championship dreams for another year. Runaway world No.1 Trump, 35, has long been criticised for his record on the game’s biggest stage with just one Crucible crown to his name despite dominating the sport in recent years.
But golden oldie Williams, 50, who trailed 7-3 at one stage avenged his 17-16 defeat in 2022 with a fine 17-14 victory on Saturday night. Ray Reardon was 49 and seven months old when he reached his last final in 1982.
Opponent Zhao Xintong was only three years old when the Welsh Potting Machine first lifted the trophy in 2000.
And ahead of facing the Chinese hotshot in a two-day final which kicks off today, three-time winner Williams said: “I was feeling it in that last break. I started twitch a few towards the end.
“I can’t believe I’m in another final. I’m half blind. I don’t know how I’m doing it.
“I’ve surprised myself. I was in the club for four or five hours every morning before coming here to try and find some form.
“I shouldn’t really be competing with the number one player in the world over three days really.
“In the back of my mind he beat me for £300,000 in Saudi and a semi-final here. I got £100,000 back on him there!”
After resuming at 8-8 in the third session, Williams produced some brilliant snooker to lead 13-11 heading into evening with breaks of 73, 85 and 62.
He opened up a 15-11 lead with further runs of 67 and 65 before century-machine Trump closed the gap to 16-14 with his 13th and 14th tons of the tournament.
But composed Williams signed off in style with a 123 clearance.
Gutted Trump said: “I didn’t play badly. I struggled with the table a bit with some safeties. Other than that I didn’t do much wrong.”
