World Snooker Championship 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Mark Williams BEATS Judd Trump to secure final spot – latest updates
MARK WILLIAMS has BEATEN Judd Trump in an INTENSE World Snooker Championship semi-final!
The Welshman progressed with a 17-14 win over the World No1 and will face Zhao Xintong in a blockbuster final.
Williams becomes the oldest player ever to reach the World Championship final and is looking to win the Crucible crown for the fourth time in his illustrious career.
- Start time: 1pm BST
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer / Discovery+
- TV channel: BBC One / Two / Four / TNT Sports
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'Can't believe I'm in another final'
Mark Williams has awed even himself by seeing off Judd Trump to reach the final.
He said: “I can’t believe I’m in another final."
Williams added: "When I shook Judd’s hand at the end, he said some lovely words.
“He said, ‘It’s unbelievable you’re still going at your age, all the best, hope you win it. I don’t know how you are doing it'."
The hand of plod
"Plodding" Mark Williams saluted his win for the ages.
Wales’ three-time world champion, 50, said: “I shouldn’t really be competing with the No.1 player in the world over three days, first to 17 frames.
"I’m plodding along for us oldies.
"I was starting to twitch towards the end. I did feel a bit of tension in the back arm.
"I’m never normally nervous but I was with that final break."
Williams is proud of his achievementCredit: Alamy
Williams enjoys shaken 'n stirring win
Mark Williams became the oldest world snooker championship finalist as he coped with match-winning nerves, writes ROB MAUL.
Willo, 50, showed his enduring class as he came from 7-3 down to beat world no.1 Judd Trump 17-14 in the semi-finals.
Credit: PA Even though he is “half-blind” and thinking about cancelling next month’s eye op, the Welshman powered into a fifth final, despite feeling tension in the final shots.
He plays Chinese amateur Zhao Xintong, who is 22 years his junior, and was THREE years old when Williams celebrated his first Crucible success in 2000.
Wales’ three-time world champion said: “I shouldn’t really be competing with the No.1 player in the world over three days, first to 17 frames.
“I’m plodding along for us oldies. I was starting to twitch towards the end. I did feel a bit of tension in the back arm.
"I’m never normally nervous but I was with that final break."
Williams reckons he's more nifty at 50
Snooker's oldest ever World Championship finalist insists he's "much better" at 50 than he was at 25.
Williams saw off Judd Trump 17-14 to set up a best-of-35 showdown with Ronnie O'Sullivan's conqueror Zhao Xintong.
Credit: PA The Welshman has already lifted the Crucible crown three times - in 2000, 2003 and 2018.
And asked by TNT Sports how his game compares to a quarter of a century ago, Williams said: "I think I'm a much better overall player now.
"My safety play is much better."
But he admitted he's compromised his style a bit.
Williams explained: "My potting is nowhere near it used to be - I used to pot them off the lampshade!"
Judd hails 'very consistent season'
Judd Trump understandably looked crestfallen after defeat - but turned to the bigger picture for comfort.
The 2019 Crucible king remains the world No.1 after maintaining his record of nearly always reaching the latter stages of major tournaments.
Asked about his season, Trump replied: "Yes, very consistent, from start to finish.
"Very very consistent - overall, very happy with the season."
But he admitted he's keen to take time off to recuperate.
He said: "I've got a few exhibitions lined up - but I'd rather have a rest now."
Trump says Williams was 'better in all departments'
Judd Trump saluted his conqueror Mark Williams.
The 35-year-old told TNT Sports: "In all departments. he was just a little better.
"I think I maybe let the game get away a little bit early."
Trump led 7-3 yesterday but Williams was on top today - clinching a 17-14 win with a 123 clearance.
And the World No. 1 said: "I always knee he was going to come back.
"You have to be at your best to beat someone like him."
Judd Trump was frustrated as Mark Williams reached the finalCredit: PA Mark grateful for Judd tribute
Mark Williams was delighted to receive a gracious tribute from beaten Judd Trump.
The Welshman, 50, revealed: "He said some nice words. He said what you are doing at this stage of your career is incredible."
Williams was overwhelmed by his achievementCredit: Getty Williams himself then reflected on the scale of his achievement.
He said: "Really I shouldn't be beating the world No. 1 over three sessions."
But having previously insisted he is now playing for fun, he added: "I now just let it go if I lose.
"If I'd lost 17-16 it would be over in five minutes - I would have moved on from it."
Williams says beaten Trump had nice words for himCredit: Alamy 'It got edgy'
Mark Williams claims the sudden awareness of what he might achieve almost overwhelmed him - before he held his nerve to clinch victory over Judd Trump.
He told TNT Sports: "I'm not going to lie, it got a bit edgy.
"Maybe because I was aware I was on the verge of doing something incredible really."
Williams 'might be best ever'
Mark Williams has been hailed as possibly the greatest snooker player ever after reaching the World Championship final.
Ex-Masters champion Alan McManus reckons Williams' 17-14 semi-final win over Judd Trump highlighted his tactical awareness.
TNT Sports pundit McManus told the broadcaster: "He might just be the best player ever with his knowledge of what's needed."
Judd Trump 14-17 Mark Williams - stunning victory
Williams wrapped up victory in just the way he'd like.
He conjured a 123 clearance as good as any he's produced here at the Crucible.
The Welshman finished with a 123 clearance And the 50-year-old, on this form, must be favourite to become snooker's oldest world champion ever.
He'll face Zhao Xintong over the next two days in the final.
Williams reached his ton with this green Judd Trump 14-17 Mark Williams - WILLIAMS WINS!
Williams on brink of final
Williams pumped his fist when he went 73-1 up - knowing victory was virtually assured.
Now he's looking to seal it with a century.
Judd Trump 14-16 Mark Williams (1-81)
A black ricocheted around before dropping...
Is that the moment that signals the end for the seated Trump?
Williams went on to leave Trump needing snookers.
And he's still going...
Here's the black that surely took the match beyond Trump Judd Trump 14-16 Mark Williams (1-44)
Williams potted a nerveless blue to drift the cue ball back to the business end.
And pretty much every ball is well placed.
He's into his 40s now - with no reason why he can't stay at the table for the rest of the match.
Williams watches this black go down as he builds a dangerous break
Judd Trump 14-16 Mark Williams (1-2)
Trump left a black hanging.
And his downcast face said it all.
So Williams has an early chance to build a decisive break.
Judd Trump 14-16 Mark Williams (0-0)
Trump saw an attempted red to the bottom right cannon across the table.
But he just avoided leaving anything on for Williams - meaning the cue ball was again returned safely to the baulk cushion.
Judd Trump 14-16 Mark Williams (0-0)
We're still in early safety play.
Judd Trump 14-16 Mark Williams - 2 in row for Judd
Trump rattles off a 116 clearance to leave him needing the final three frames for a comeback victory.
That's two in a row he's won now - both quite comfortably.
Here's the blue that brought up Trump's century Judd Trump 13-16 Mark Williams (91-14)
Whatever happens, you can't fault Trump's nerve - as he eyes a century.
He's done pretty well on occasions to get out of tricky situations in this break.
But the frame is in the bag now.
Judd Trump 13-16 Mark Williams (30-14)
Trump is having to measure each shot carefully.
He hasn't misjudged yet.
A pink to the middle set up a red to the bottom right corner - but left him a tricky pink.
Trump dispatched that well enough but is again having to work hard to rediscover an ideal position.
Judd Trump 13-16 Mark Williams (0-14)
Trump left a red on that Williams boldly took on and pouched.
And there's enough potential for Williams to conjure a decisive break.
He then opened up the reds encouragingly.
But to the crowd's surprise he then missed a red to the middle - and it wasn't even that close.
What can Trump do?
Judd Trump 13-16 Mark Williams - Judd cuts gap
Trump's second decent break of the frame made it safe at 76-10.
And if he keeps this level up, he could yet continue a stunning recovery to reach the final.
Judd Trump 12-16 Mark Williams (51-10)
Trump's grafted well for a break of 42.
But he had to lean at full stretch with the rest for a black that didn't go in.
However, Williams missed the resulting red to the middle.
And Trump returned to, he hopes, wrap up the frame.
Trump missed this red but still looks in control of this frame Judd Trump 12-16 Mark Williams (19-10)
Trump's had to work so hard to keep this break going.
He squeezed in a pink to the middle pocket - and at last could be in with a chance of a more inviting table.