Williams Thumps Trump To Set Up Dott Final
Mark Williams moved a step closer to his second ranking title of the season with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Judd Trump in the semi-finals of the D88 German Masters.
Welshman Williams has already had his best season in many years, having won the Northern Ireland Open – his first ranking title since 2011 – as well as the Six Red World Championship. Now the 42-year-old from Cwm will have the chance to win his 20th career ranking title when he takes on 40-year-old Graeme Dott in Berlin on Sunday in a battle between two of the circuit’s most experienced pros. First to nine frames will take home the trophy and a top prize of £80,000.
World number ten Williams is aiming to win the German Masters for the second time, having captured the crown in 2011, the first time it was held at the Tempodrom. This will be his first meeting with Dott in a ranking final.
Two-time World Champion Williams won the opening frame tonight with a break of 68 then added a scrappy second by clearing from the last red. A run of 109, his first century of the tournament, put him 3-0 ahead.
Trump also lost in the semi-finals of the Masters last month
World number three Trump looked out of sorts for much of the contest, though he did win frame four with breaks of 51 and 44. A fragmented fifth went Williams’ way and he took the next with a 51 to lead 5-1. Trump had chances in frame seven but couldn’t take advantage and his opponent eventually made a 42 clearance to secure victory.
“I didn’t play too well but Judd looked nervous from the start, maybe he expected to steam-roller me,” said Williams after reaching his 32nd ranking final.
“I managed to keep things tight and get on top, I knew he would go for crazy balls. He seemed to give up towards the end. There were a couple of scrappy frames that could have gone either way. My safety was good.
“I can’t believe I’m in another final. I’ll keep riding the wave until it comes crashing down.”
The final starts at 2pm local time.