The inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final will be contested between Judd Trump and Mark Williams on Saturday in Riyadh.
What began with 144 competitors has been whittled down to its final two, as the controversial new ranking event reaches its climax at the Green Halls.
Already firmly established as two all-time greats of the game, only a couple of ranking titles separate Trump and Williams on the all-time winners’ list.
Reaching this week’s final gives Trump his second opportunity in as many months to usurp Steve Davis and into sole fourth with 29 ranking trophies.
The Englishman was narrowly denied in August’s Xi’an Grand Prix, with Kyren Wilson pipping him to the post in China.
That remains Trump’s only blip on what has been a perfect opening to his 2024/25 snooker season – winning the Shanghai Masters and reaching another final here.
On Friday, the 35 year-old emerged from a titanic and dramatic last-four tussle with Shaun Murphy that concluded on the final pink in the deciding frame.
Murphy fought gallantly to retrieve 3-0 and 5-3 deficits, but Trump just about held on in a nervy ending.
“I thought I was destined to lose to be honest,” the beaming world number one said on Eurosport immediately after.
Following his early victory in the tournament where he mounted an incredible fight back from 4-0 down to beat Wu Yize 5-4, there will be many thinking Trump’s name is already etched onto the silverware.
Williams, of course, will have plenty to say about that in the 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final.
The Welshman survived his own nine-frame thriller in the first round when he defied a poor performance to overcome Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
Since then, the 49 year-old has lost only five frames across the three subsequent matches he has played.
In the semi-finals, young opponent Si Jiahui did the heavier scoring with breaks of 136 and 116, but Williams utilised his experience to advance with a 6-3 scoreline over the Chinese cueist.
“It’s a big win for me. I’m an old man now,” Williams, who has admitted that his eyesight is beginning to deteriorate, said on Eurosport.
“I think it’s bound to guarantee me in every tournament now – the last 16 [Players Championship], the Tour Champs, almost everything. I might have a couple of months off now.”
Both players have already assured themselves of a whopping £200,000 runner-up cheque, but they will each have eyes on the mammoth £500,000 top prize.
Trump enjoys the superior head-to-head record overall, with 22 triumphs from the 32 games they’ve played in all competitions.
However, they have each beaten the other en route to tournament successes during this calendar year.
Williams thrashed Trump 10-4 on his way to winning the Tour Championship in April, while Trump got his own back in Shanghai before lifting the trophy aloft there.
One of their most memorable recent encounters was at the 2023 Masters, where Trump edged Williams in the final 10-8.
Many neutral fans will be hoping this showdown will be just as close.
Friday’s Results (SF)
Mark Williams 6-3 Si Jiahui
Judd Trump 6-5 Shaun Murphy
Saturday’s Schedule (F)
12pm and 6pm UTC+1
Mark Williams vs Judd Trump
Click here to view the full draw, including updated results.
Featured photo credit: WST
Trump is already level with Davis in joint fourth! This is his 46th ranking final appearance.
Yes, of course. Easy to lose track with him these days.
As a Ronnie fan, I’m always a little too aware how he’s doing as Trump is a concern when it comes to two or three of O’Sullivan’s records!