Wales’ Mark Williams produced a sensational fightback to beat David Gilbert in the final of the Hong Rui Ma Yushan World Open. Just months after winning his third World Championship, Williams lifted the title in Yushan for the first time.

Williams had started the second session trailing 5-4 but he failed to pick up and wasted a number of chances. After missing the black, Gilbert cleared up with a 68 before another break of 95 moved him into a 7-4 lead. Welshman Williams then had the first chance to win the 12th frame but he again missed the black and Gilbert went four frames ahead. However, the errors then started to creep into Gilbert’s game and Williams’ 54 clawed it back to 8-5.

Gilbert managed to restore his four-frame lead but then was outclassed as Williams reeled off five straight frames to claim victory. Breaks of 76, 41, 72 and 64 helped him seal the deal and Williams looks like he could have another superb campaign.

The 43-year-old won three rankings titles last season, and he has now claimed his first trophy this campaign and the £150,000 jackpot. Williams has now won 22 rankings titles in his career and his earnings in the last 12 months are now well over £1million.

However, it is bad news for Gilbert as he failed to climb into the world’s top 16 and now misses out on the invitational Shanghai Masters in China. Instead Anthony McGill claims the last spot and will look to pull off a shock victory.