Williams claims 19th ranking title in thrilling final in Belfast ●17-year old Yan Bingtao hailed as new sensation
Mark Williams claimed his 19th ranking title after a stunning 9-8 defeat of Chinese 17-year-old Yan Bingtao in the Dafabet Northern Ireland Open final in Belfast.
The two-time World Champion was either behind or level right until the final frame, in what was one of the most enthralling matches of the season so far.
Williams’ last ranking victory came at the 2011 German Masters. His win ended a spell of 14 years without ranking silverware on UK soil, where he last tasted glory in the 2003 LG Cup in Preston.
The 42-year-old Welshman stands alone in fifth place in the all-time list of ranking titles won. He’s now six ahead of Mark Selby and Ding Junhui who have won 13 titles.
Williams can now look forward to the Dafabet Masters in January after securing his place at the showpiece invitational event. He will also climb back to 11th in the world rankings having banked the £70,000 top prize.
17-year-old Chinese prodigy Yan, also being proclaimed as a new sensation following his outstanding performances in Belfast, came agonisingly close to eclipsing Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record as the youngest ever winner of a ranking event. However, he had to settle for the runnerup spot in his first ever appearance in a ranking final.
The afternoon session saw Yan seize the initiative, earning himself a 5-3 advantage.
Yan came roaring out of the blocks tonight by making the highest break of his career, a run of 137, to move 6-3 ahead.
However, Williams showed his steel to claim the tenth frame and runs of 90 and 58 saw him draw level at 6-6. They then traded blows before a thrilling 15th frame.
Yan had looked set to take the frame before breaking down on 60. Williams then had an opportunity to steal the frame, but landed awkwardly on the final red, which he missed with his run at 45. An extended safety battle ensued, before Yan eventually moved one from victory at 8-7.
Williams compiled a run of 49 in winning frame 16 for 8-8. Breaks of 34 and 28 in the decider helped him build a 70-0 lead. Yan battled for the snookers he needed, but when he fouled on the last red the match was over.