Judd Trump beats Barry Hawkins to take first UK title in 13 years

Judd Trump was forced to work overtime to end his 13-year wait for a second UK Championship title before finally shrugging off the dogged challenge of Barry Hawkins in York.

Trump was stuck in his seat as Hawkins won two in a row to reduce the deficit to a single frame before the world number one pounced on a missed red from his opponent with a 67 break that proved just enough to seal a 10-8 win.

Hawkins was still not quite done, getting one of two snookers required in what turned into an epic safety battle that Trump admitted left him fearing the worst.

"I wasn't enjoying myself in my seat at 9-8," Trump admitted in his post-match interview. "I was thinking this could be the worst loss of all time, so it’s just pure relief."

His hard-fought victory marked Trump’s first UK crown since 2011 and also the 30th ranking tournament win of his increasingly illustrious career.

The 35-year-old had struggled to replicate his solitary win in the sport’s second biggest tournament, despite two further final appearances, most recently in 2020 when he lost to Neil Robertson.

But despite never quite hitting top form, Trump pulled out enough big moments to repel qualifier Hawkins, who had fought back from behind to sink Ronnie O’Sullivan in the opening round and came close to repeating the feat in an increasingly dramatic finale.

Hawkins, who has now lost in four 'triple crown’ finals, admitted: "If someone had said I’d get to the final I’d have taken it, but once you’re in the final you want to win.

"I’ve beaten some great players this week but I’ve lost to the best player in the world at the moment, he’s such a fantastic player and it’s no disgrace."

What looked like the pivotal moment came early in the 15th frame when Hawkins (below), who had