Welsh Open 2022 - Joe Perry pinches final frame to draw level with Judd Trump after first session of final

Judd Trump and Joe Perry are locked together at 4-4 after the first session of the Welsh Open final. It was a cagey session, with the highest break being 73. The nature of the contest played more to Perry’s strengths than Trump’s, and the Gentleman was able to keep himself in the hunt for the evening when nerves will play a part.

Ad/> Trump has a commanding record against Perry, with nine wins from their previous 12 meetings, but he is striving for his best form this term and was unable to break free of his opponent on Sunday afternoon. Welsh Open'Close, close in' — McManus predicts double on comms, Perry duly obliges3 HOURS AGO Both players had chances in the opener and it boiled down to a battle on the black. A cagey period of safety was broken when Perry knocked in a glorious, long-range double to edge in front.

Trump’s 60 in the opening frame suggested his arm was loose and he took the second on the back of a run of 45. Perry said following his win over Jack Lisowski in the semi-finals that he was struggling with a headache, but he looked much fresher on Sunday and a 59 was enough to take the third. I'd rather the tip flew into the crowd — Trump won't take backward step I'm not too down — Lisowski hopeful for rest of season Perry prides himself on limiting the errors, but he made a costly mistake with the rest in the fourth and it allowed Trump to draw level at the mid-session interval courtesy of a break of 69.

As Philip Studd said on Eurosport commentary, Perry went from “the sublime to the ridiculous” in the fifth frame. He knocked in a stunning long red, but one shot later missed a straight blue. Trump demonstrated excellent potting and impressive patience to wait for a telling chance, and the tactic paid off as