Welsh Open 2022 - Judd Trump fights back to edge out Hossein Vafaei in final-frame decider

Judd Trump won the final three frames to stun Hossein Vafaei 6-5 and reach the final of the Welsh Open. Trump has struggled for form for some time, and was well short of his best again on Saturday. Ad/> But as against Neil Robertson the previous day, he did not shirk the issue and found some form towards the end of the match to advance to the final of an event he has yet to win.

Welsh Open'Nervy', panicky Trump happy to get over line against Robertson in Welsh OpenA DAY AGO Vafaei stroked in a long red from the baulk cushion with his first shot of the match to lay down a marker, and opened the contest with a break of 94. Trump was rewarded for an error in the second, as he missed a pot by a distance, careered into the pack and scattered the reds but left his opponent with no shot. Vafaei was unable to find a safety and Trump cashed in to level the contest.

The high standard continued in the third as, after Trump missed a long red by a whisker, Vafaei crafted an excellent break of 85 to move back in front. Trump had a chance in the fourth but failed to take it, and Vafaei knocked in some excellent pots to secure a lead at the interval. The Iranian's win in the Shoot Out filled him with belief that he can compete with the best at the highest level and he proved it against Trump.

Hit by a truck — Robertson rocked by death of Shane Warne Winners win, losers lose — O'Sullivan questions mindset of players Trump hit back in the frame upon the resumption, pouncing after Vafaei missed a red to the middle. It was a similar story in the sixth, with Trump producing a stunning pot on the brown to pinch a frame Vafaei arguably should have taken. The seventh was a 39-minute slugfest, with the pair engaging in a series of safety