Mark Selby held off a spirited Judd Trump fightback to win 10-8 as he claimed his third UK Championship title in York.
The four-time Crucible winner laid the platform for his first triumph in one of snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown events since 2021, and his 10th overall, in a scintillating first session on Sunday afternoon.
Selby was almost flawless as he established a 5-0 advantage, which defending champion Trump narrowed to 6-2.
However, when play resumed Selby’s progress towards a first UK title since 2016 was checked as Trump took three of the first four frames – including a controversial 11th, in which Selby was initially awarded a free ball by referee Olivier Marteel.
That decision was reversed after Selby agreed with his opponent’s protestations that it was not a free ball, although subsequent television replays – and former six-time world champion Steve Davis – suggested the referee’s initial judgement had been correct.
With Trump fluking the red he was snookered on and then constructing his first century of the match in the following frame, it felt like a clear shift in momentum.
However, Selby was not to be denied the £250,000 top prize on offer for winning the 25th ranking event of his career, despite some nervy moments.
While a break of 91 put him 8-5 up, he missed several routine pots as Trump clawed his way back to 8-7 with runs of 125 and 55.
In a tense finale, Selby and Trump traded frames before the 42-year-old secured his victory with a composed break of 69.