Four-time world champion Mark Selby came through a tough safety battle with Judd Trump before racing away to win 10-5 and take the Champion of Champions title for the first time in his career.
Playing in front of his home crowd at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, 42-year-old Selby showed his trademark grit to win a scrappy tactical duel before knocking in a 138 break and then accelerating away.
«This tournament has only got the best players in it, so this is a privilege,» Selby told ITV.
«I played well today but I knew I had to. Judd is the man to beat.
«It feels like it’s been a while since I have played to that standard.»
World number one Trump, 36, made a bright start and led 3-1 with two century breaks but was ground down in his first final of the season by some lengthy, defensive frames.
Selby’s semi-final win over Neil Robertson included a 63-minute frame decided on the final black.
And he again showed his patience and perseverance to see off Trump.
After a 25-minute battle over the last red in frame 10, the pair swapped 25 shots over one red in the pack a frame later, with the threat of a re-rack eventually leading to Selby taking charge.
Selby then showed his class with a sparkling 138 and peeled off three centuries in a row to win nine of 11 frames as an out-of-sorts Trump lost the final for a fifth time.
Trump told ITV: «There are no positives. Mark was the best player all week and he thoroughly deserved to win.
«I couldn’t win with that cue. I am not making excuses, I chose that cue but I just can’t get used to it. I really struggled.»
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