Mark Williams won a battle of emotions as he recovered from 6-3 down to defeat Chinese sensation Yan Bingtao 9-8 in a pulsating Northern Ireland Open final.

The final was in serious doubt after William’s wife was rushed to hospital. At midday on Saturday he tweeted, “not the phone call I wanted. Mrs in ambulance taking her back to hospital tonight…waiting to hear what is going to happen next. Last thing I want is to pull out now but we will have to wait and see.”

However, the two-time World champion announced on Sunday morning that he would not be pulling out and set about winning his first ranking event title in six years, whilst Bingtao went in search of history as he looked to become the youngest ever ranking event winner.

The teenager got off to a flying start, winning three of the first four frames. Yet the World number 16 hit back with an stylish break of 104 to stamp his arrival in the final. However, Bingtao went on to win two of the last three frames of the first session to lead 5-3 and in the process give Williams plenty to ponder.

When Bingtao produced a stunning break of 137 straight after the interval to power once again into a 3 frame lead he looked to be well on his way to creating history but Williams dug deep despite all the emotions and stroked in breaks of 62, 90 and 58 to level this drama filled final at 6-6.

The Chinese sensation was in no mood to crumble as he roared back with breaks of 59 and 60 to win 2 of the next 3 frames to take an 8-7 lead and now he was only one frame from glory.

But the former World champion Williams showed that there’s life in the old dog yet as he won the next two frames with some excellent tactical play to claim his 19th ranking event title.

Snooker odds available at Dafabet.

Place your bets now!

⇦ Back to News Page