Perry Claims Maiden Ranking Title In Bangkok

Joe Perry has claimed a first ranking title in his 24-year-career after completing a fantastic comeback from 3-0 down to defeat Mark Williams 4-3 in the final of the Players Championship Grand Finals (PTC Grand Finals) 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Read on for the full report... 

Report by Adam Brown

The ranking event final was the first for over 40 years in which both finalists were over the age of 40, and it was the in-form Welshman who started the quicker. Breaks of 64, 57 and 103 meant Williams raced into a 3-0 lead and looked to be cruising to his 19th ranking title.

World number 13 Perry, got his first frame on the board after taking a long and scrappy fourth frame. Runs of 50 and 56 in the next two frames took the match all the way to a deciding frame. A nerveless 54 break from Perry in the decider ensured Perry’s first ranking event title and the £100,000 winners prize.

A delighted Joe Perry with the £100,000 first prize winners cheque

"It has been a lifelong ambition for me," said Perry. "When I lost 10-9 to Neil Robertson in the final in Wuxi, I thought that might have been my chance so I'm delighted."

"The turning point today was the fourth frame because I didn't feel comfortable until then. It was a long frame and I managed to pinch it and that helped me settle down. After that I was able to play my game," he added.

Next stop for both Perry and Williams is Beijing for the China Open next week, which is the last big event before the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

Click here for the draw and all the results from the China Open 2015. Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the tournament due to health reasons.