Northern Ireland Open 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Dominant Kyren Wilson beats rival Judd Trump to win £100,000 final – updates
KYREN WILSON won his second ranking tournament title of the season after a dominant performance against Judd Trump.
The reigning world champion took a dominant 7-1 lead into the final session in Belfast after blitzing Trump in the afternoon.
World No 1 Trump mounted a spirited comeback - winning the first frame of the evening session the before equalling the tournament high break with a superb 143 - but Wilson won the two frames he needed to take home the £100,000 top prize.
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More Trump on Wilson
It is nice for me to have someone pushing me who is doing their absolute all to really go away and practice every single time, and it is nice to have that rivalry when you get to the top.
“Me and him are both really enjoying it.”
Judd TrumpTrump sees rivalry with Wilson
Judd Trump believes he and Kyren Wilson will fight it out for titles for the next 10 years.
Trump told Eurosport of his opponent in the final: "It is a great match-up.
“Over the next 10 years with my hunger and his hunger I think we are going to be meeting a lot of times.”
Wilson also loves the Waterfront Hall
What a place this is, the Waterfront Hall.
“That is why I showed a little bit of emotion. I had never managed to make the one-table set-up here before.
“As soon as I walked out, I thought: ‘Wow, what a venue, what a crowd.’ This is definitely one of the best venues I have ever played in.
“I was so desperate to make the final. I am delighted to do that.”
Kyren Wilson
Trump on the Waterfront Hall
One of the best arenas you can play in.
"I had plenty left in the tank. I felt very relaxed out there. The table is a good test for everyone.
"The table conditions play so good here. I love playing here. The table is so reactive."
Trump 6-0 Slessor
It's all over.
Everything Slessor touched turned to dust, with Trump imperious.
He missed a black with the opportunity to steal a frame, as Trump was allowed back to the table.
Slessor offers his hand to Trump, who is in the final.
Trump 5-0 Slessor
Another frame is added and Trump is in total cruise control.
It was Slessor's ambitious, over hit red that cannoned out, hitting the black away from the pocket, and handing the advantage over to Judd.
70-16 that frame finished.
One more, and Trump is in the final.
Trump 4-0 Slessor (32-15)
Slessor misses a black and stays on 15.
That gives Trump the opportunity to take advantage, who splits on the reds and opens up the balls.
This looks like another great opportunity for the frame.
Trump 4-0 Slessor
Unbelievable.
We've played around an hour and Trump just two frames from victory.
In frame four it was a break of 90.
Incredibly, Slessor has recorded just 19 points in the four frames.
We go for a break and a cuppa.
Trump 2-0 Slessor (37-7)
Well this is a turn up.
Both players missing balls - first Trump, on a pink he jaws on 32, then Slessor misses a red.
Trump fails to capitalise, missing another red, until Slessor slams one in.
Trump 2-0 Slessor
We've had just 27 minutes and Trump is already two frames up.
A break of 78 is cut short when he misses a brown, so no century for him.
Slessor has no answer.
Trump looks the business.
Trump 1-0 Slessor
Clinical from Trump who wins the first frame 74-12.
He looks ready for this, and Slesser might do well to hang on in there.
Trump 0-0 Slessor (47-12)
Trump delivers a 40 break, before opting for a safety.
Earlier, Slesser missed an easy red that allowed Trump to assert his authority on the frame.
Costly, that.
Trump v Slessor
These two have faced each other six times in their careers.
Trump has five victories to his name, and Slesser just the one.
However, Slesser won last time out - at the 2021 British Open in the last-32.
Who will prevail next?
How Wilson will prepare for the final
KYREN WILSON has said he will prepare for Sunday's Northern Ireland Open final by sinking pints of Guinness and scrolling through Halloween snaps.
Speaking after beating Pang Junxu, Wilson said: "I plan to make the most of the famous Belfast Guinness.
“I will go out and have a couple with my brother and mum.
“I think the family have a Halloween party at home, so I am looking forward to seeing some pictures of their costumes. I hope they can make it for the final.”
Wilson reaction
He doesn't really make many mistakes, so you have to be quite clinical from the off.
"I was happy to lead 3-1. You never want to fall over the line, and going out with one visit is good for the crowd.
"That's why I showed some emotion at the end. What a venue, what a crowd. I was so desperate to reach the final."
Kyren Wilson
It's all over
Wilson prevails, despite a steady comeback from Pang with a stunning break of 83.
He is through to his 16th ranking event final, and will play either Judd Trump or Elliot Slessor.
That gets underway at 7pm.
Pang 4-5 Wilson (0-58)
Pang is making a real fist of this.
It looked like it was going to be easy, but he's reduced the gap to one frame.
However, Wilson is looking to break his momentum.
And a break of 58 has put him in command. This must be it?
Pang 3-5 Wilson
A break of 67 allows Pang to get back in this one.
This semi-final has more life in it.
That adds to the 42 earlier, and will give him a bit of confidence.
Pang 2-4 Wilson (40-0)
Pang is already in command of the seventh frame as he looks to kickstart a comeback.
Pang 2-4 Wilson (37-77)
A string of fouls from Pang sees Wilson over the line in the sixth frame to extend his lead to 4-2.
Pang 2-3 Wilson (36-60)
Wilson moves in front as he ends on a break of 47, but Pang cannot respond and the world champion is already back at the table adding to his lead.
Pang 2-3 Wilson (36-25)
Pang puts together a strong break to start the frame before it comes to an end.
Wilson is now cutting into his advantage, though, as he looks to re-establish his two frame lead.
Pang 2-3 Wilson (58-43)
Pang takes the frame to reduce Wilson's lead to one in this race to six.
Pang 1-3 Wilson (52-43)
A back-and-forth frame following the mid-session interval, with Pang currently leading.
However, Wilson is at the table with only the pink and black remaining.
Pang 1-3 Wilson
Back-to-back frames for Wilson as the world champion extends his lead.