Three-time world champion Mark Williams has defied the odds and age to become the oldest player to reach a World Snooker Championship final, defeating world number one Judd Trump 17–14 in a captivating semi-final clash at the Crucible Theatre.
The 50-year-old Welshman, who turned back the clock with a display of vintage form, surpasses the previous record held by compatriot Ray Reardon, who was 49 when he reached the 1982 final. Williams overturned an early 7–3 deficit, leveling the match at 8–8 by Friday and surging ahead across two decisive sessions on Saturday to avenge his narrow 17–16 semi-final defeat to Trump in 2022.
“I was twitching a bit at the end—nerves got to me,” Williams admitted to the BBC. “I can’t believe I’m in another final. I don’t know how I’m still doing this, to be honest.”
Resuming play with a 13–11 lead, Williams struck with back-to-back half-centuries before Trump responded with his 106th century of the season. But the Welshman answered in style, punishing a rare Trump safety error with a stunning 100 break that gave him a commanding 16–12 lead.
Trump briefly fought back, reducing the gap to 16–14 with a brilliant 116 clearance. However, his comeback bid ended when he missed a tough black, allowing Williams to seal the match with his second century of the session.
“Mark was more consistent and fully deserved to win,” Trump conceded. “I gave everything, but he was too good. Against anyone else, I might’ve been in the final.”
Williams now faces China’s Zhao Xintong in what will be a historic first all-left-handed World Championship final. The best-of-35 showdown begins Sunday at 13:00 BST and will be broadcast live on BBC Two.
A Revival Few Saw Coming
Williams’ journey to the final marks a stunning reversal in form. Coming into the tournament, he was viewed as an outsider, citing ongoing struggles with his eyesight and recent early exits at key events.
“I thought players would be hoping to draw me,” Williams said. “I was working every morning with my coach, Lee Walker, trying different lenses and glasses, and I even considered surgery. But we decided to go without them, and it’s worked.”
The turnaround was all the more impressive given Trump’s dominant run this season. A win in Sheffield would have made the 2019 world champion the first player to earn over £2 million in a single campaign.
Despite this, Williams outperformed the Englishman across the board, setting up a final against a rising star nearly half his age—Zhao was just two years old when Williams played his first Crucible final in 1999.
Disruption for Fans as O’Sullivan Crashes Out Early
Saturday’s schedule was disrupted when Zhao cruised to a 17–7 win over Ronnie O’Sullivan, concluding their semi-final with a session to spare. With no play in the afternoon, ticket holders—who paid between £121 and £660—were offered an exhibition match between legends Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor, alongside a Q&A with Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty.
Despite fans’ frustration, the World Snooker Tour (WST) maintained its policy, stating that early match conclusions are rare and non-refundable under its terms and conditions.
“This is the first time in over a decade a semi-final has finished early,” WST said. “While disappointing, it was out of our control.”
