Barry Hawkins has upset the odds to book his place in the Masters final, beating Judd Trump 6-5 in Saturday night’s semi-final to set up a clash with Neil Robertson.
The 2019 champion was the hot favourite to beat the Hawk, but it was never likely to be straight forward against the veteran, who had already knocked out Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby to reach this stage.
Trump battled back from 4-2 behind, not really finding his very best form, but rediscovering enough of it to win three on the spin and go 5-4 ahead, before Hawkins forced a decider in the edgy battle.
The Alexandra Palace crowd were delighted with another deciding frame thriller after the Robertson’s epic comeback over Mark Williams earlier, and it was Hawkins who was delighted by the end of the frame.
He made a break of 58 to complete most of the heavy lifting, although he needed to come back to the table and complete the job and end the contest.
‘I’m speechless, unbelievable atmosphere,’ said Hawkins. ‘I was so nervous at the end there, but I felt good. I’m so pleased.
‘I’m speechless, it’s the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in, just brilliant.’
If any onlookers thought Trump would stroll into the final, as he did into the semi-final, the opening frame immediately showed that he was going to be in for a scrap, with Hawkins winning a lengthy affair.
The Ace took the next two, with breaks of 86 and 63 and looked to be on course for a 3-1 lead at the interval, but the Hawk came from behind to pinch it on the colours and go into the interval level at 2-2.
An upset looked very much on the cards soon after the break in play, with Trump not finding top gear and Hawkins capitalising impressively, taking a 4-2 lead with knocks of 60 and then a superb 124.
The world number two remained calm, though, and Hawkins seemed to just go off the boil, making a couple of odd shot choices and spurning chances. The underdog had chances in the seventh and eighth but couldn’t take them, with Trump levelling up, thanks to a break of 65 to go 4-4.
The 2019 world champion was regaining his swagger by this stage and reclaimed the lead in the ninth with a couple of good breaks and a useful snooker racking him up some points.
It looked like all the momentum was with Trump, but Hawkins would not be shrugged off, needing two bites of the cherry, but making two breaks (46 and 76) in the tenth to set up a decider.
Hawkins made a half-century in the last and will face Neil Robertson on Sunday in a race to 10.
MORE : Neil Robertson reveals Mark Williams message after epic Masters battle
MORE : Mark Williams unfazed by brutal Neil Robertson Masters defeat: ‘Do I look like I’m bothered?’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share this with