In a thrilling showdown in Bolton, England, Mark Williams of Wales emerged victorious against Xiao Guodong of the Chinese mainland with a score of 10-6, clinching the Champion of Champions title for the first time in his illustrious career.
From the outset, Williams found his rhythm, swiftly building a 2-0 lead. Xiao faced challenges early on, struggling with an in-off and a failed safety in the second frame. Despite these setbacks, he showcased resilience, striving to keep pace with Williams' composure throughout the match.
Williams extended his advantage with impressive breaks of 91 and 77, reaching a commanding 4-0 lead. A rare safety error from Xiao allowed Williams to clear the table in the fifth frame, further solidifying his position. However, Xiao began to mount a comeback in the sixth frame with a calculated clearance, followed by the first century break of the match in the seventh, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
The momentum continued to shift as Xiao added breaks of 76 and 117, bringing him just one frame away from leveling the match. Not to be outdone, Williams responded in the 10th frame with a 112 century break, and then delivered a stunning 125 break along with a total clearance in the 13th frame. Despite Xiao's efforts to trim the margin to 8-6 after 14 frames, Williams maintained his focus.
In the decisive stages, Williams crafted a 95 break in the 15th frame after a tense safety exchange and sealed his victory in the 16th frame with another brilliant clearance. His triumph marks a significant milestone, highlighting his enduring talent and determination.
\"I can't believe I am still winning tournaments at my age. Winning this event today honestly feels unbelievable,\" Williams remarked. \"Props to Xiao, who has been a great player throughout this tournament and a great finalist.\"
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Mark Williams defeats Xiao Guodong to win Champion of Champions title
cgtn.com
