TNT Sports
Kyren Wilson claims Xi'an Grand Prix title in China with tense win over new world No. 1 Judd Trump
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Published 25/08/2024 at 17:49 GMT+1
Judd Trump suffered his first defeat of the new season as he followed up the Shanghai Masters title with a defeat in the final of the Xi'an Grand Prix. The eventual winner on Sunday evening was Kyren Wilson, who impressed throughout the tournament. Trump became world No. 1 on Saturday after he reached the final, overtaking the previous incumbent, Mark Allen.
Trump seals Shanghai Masters title with record 10th century
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kyren Wilson won the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix final with a 10-8 victory over new world No. 1 Judd Trump on Sunday.
Trump and Wilson's meeting in China lived up to its pre-match billing with two gripping sessions of snooker, with Trump edging ahead 7-6 at one stage only for the world champion to battle back for victory.
With Trump reclaiming the world No. 1 spot from Mark Allen after reaching the final, and world champion Wilson displaying the form that saw him claim the sport's biggest prize in May, the best-of-19 frame final always looked likely to be a tight affair.
Both players showed off their considerable scoring skills and tactical nous before a sell-out crowd at the Qujiang E-sports Centre, leaving only the odd frame in nine to split them in the chase for the £177,000 first prize.
There was never more than a frame between the duo for much of the match with Trump, chasing back-to-back titles after his success at the Shanghai Masters last month.
He produced breaks of 114 and 62 to lead 3-2, after Wilson had compiled 54 and 58 to level at 2-2 at the mid-session interval.
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World No. 3 Wilson moved 4-3 ahead with runs of 135 and 75, only for his fellow Englishman to again restore parity at 4-4 with a 76.
It also provided a £5,000 bonus boost for Mark Williams as Wilson tried and failed to pot the final black without looking, which would have given him a 142 to overtake the Welshman's 140 high break.
The final frame of the opening session was a tactical duel as Wilson missed a yellow late in the frame to open the door for Trump, who pocketed the yellow, green and brown, only to see a tough cutback blue to a blind pocket elude him.
Wilson duly mopped up blue and pink to regain the narrow advantage before resuming play at 12:30pm BST, with both men chasing 10 frames to become champion.
Trump was able to restore parity in this cagey contest with a half-century clearance of 53, and looked like continuing that momentum heading into the 13th frame until he left a red over a pocket.
Wilson dispatched that, but could not motor towards the lead and Trump held his nerve after a lengthy safety exchange to regain his advantage at 7-6.
Wilson was showcasing his fine potting skills after the mid-session interval, but struggled to pull clear, and a tense battle took place over the final red.
Trump eventually managed to pot the red into the bottom pocket, before an equally absorbing battle over the green.
The world No. 1 landed it quite superbly, but Wilson responded with a wonderful snooker of his own to leave the cue ball behind the blue and force four fouls points from Trump.
It proved to be crucial, and we were level again at 7-7 before Trump powered his way to a wonderful century clearance of 104 and re-took the lead at 8-7.
He could not pull clear though, and after leaving the cue ball amidst a pack of well-placed reds, Wilson raced to a break of 54 to level the score once again at 8-8.
Wilson moved one frame away from the title with a pensive Trump looking on, potting up to the pink and all the momentum seemed to be in his favour.
Wilson carried his form into the final frame as a break of 89 took him to the title.
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