Trump and Wilson in tense title battle in Xi’an Grand Prix final

Trump seals Shanghai Masters title with record 10th century

Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson’s meeting in the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix final in China lived up to its pre-match billing in the first session, with Wilson edging it 5-4 in a tense title battle.

With Trump reclaiming the world No. 1 spot from Mark Allen after reaching the final, and world champion Wilson displaying the matchplay form that saw him claim the sport’s biggest prize in May, the best-of-19 frame final always looked likely to be a tight affair.

Both players showed off their considerable scoring skills and tactical nous before a sell-out crowd at the at the Qujiang E-sports Centre, leaving only the odd frame in nine to split them in the chase for the £177,000 first prize.

There was never more than a frame between the duo with Trump, chasing back-to-back titles after his success at the Shanghai Masters last month.

He produced breaks of 114 and 62 to lead 3-2, after Wilson had compiled 54 and 58 to level at 2-2 at the mid-session interval.

World No. 3 Wilson moved 4-3 ahead with runs of 135 and 75, only for his fellow Englishman to again restore parity at 4-4 with a 76.

It also provided a £5,000 bonus boost for Mark Williams as Wilson tried and failed to pot the final black without looking, which would have given him a 142 to overtake the Welshman’s 140 high break that so far remains intact.

The final frame of the opening session was a tactical duel as Wilson missed a yellow late in the frame to open the door for Trump, who pocketed the yellow, green and brown, only to see a tough cutback blue to a blind pocket elude him.

Wilson duly mopped up blue and pink to regain the narrow advantage before they play to a finish from 12:30pm BST, with both men chasing 10 frames to become champion.

Trump is 12-8 clear on the career head-to-heads, but Wilson also has the memory of a rousing 10-9 win over the Bristolian in the 2015 Shanghai Masters final.