Mark Williams chalked up another significant landmark in his illustrious career during Sunday evening in Berlin.
Williams’ 9-1 crushing of Graeme Dott in the 2018 German Masters Final not only secured his second ranking success of the campaign after victory at the Northern Ireland Open in November, but a 20th career ranking title. Only four other players in the history of the sport have reached this milestone.
After wins against Fergal O’Brien, Matthew Selt and Jimmy Robertson, the Welshman was almost untroubled throughout the weekend at the iconic Tempodrom.
A break of 109 was the highlight of his 6-1 elimination of Judd Trump on Saturday, whilst seven breaks of 50 or above – including a 110, featured in the one-sided result over a resurgent Dott.
Consistency has been the key for the two-time World Champion throughout the last 12 months. As well as his previously mentioned triumphs, he also bagged the World 6 Reds Championship invitational in Thailand and reached the final of the China Open too.
Williams also becomes the first player to have claimed the title more than once at the Tempodrom following his win at the venue’s inaugural staging in 2011.
Perhaps inspired by fellow forty-something Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins – who both tasted ranking glory before him this season, the £80,000 he now banks continues to see him rise up the rankings again.
The other big story of the five days in Germany was 2006 World Champion Dott’s first major final appearance since the 2010 World Final.
Aiming for his third ranking title – Dott also won the 2007 China Open, the gritty Scotsman was hang tough on route to the final. This included an incredible turnaround from 4-0 down against Xiao Guodong to win 5-4 in the Last 8 and a very high quality 6-4 outcome over Shaun Murphy in the Semi-Finals.
Mark Selby’s early loss to Xiao Guodong and the Trump/Ben Woollaston match which boasted nine breaks of 68 or more -with 4 centuries, were other memorable moments.