Robert Milkins wins Welsh Open

Robert Milkins beat Shaun Murphy 9-7 in the final of the Welsh Open, in what is likely to go down as one of the biggest nights of his career thus far. He added a second ranking title to his Gibraltar Open win just under a year ago, and he secures nearly £250,000 in prize money.

It was a thrilling day of snooker, as Milkins sought to win and Murphy aimed to end a three-year title drought (his last win was at the 2020 Welsh Open). The former world champion always remained in touch of Milkins, and forced him to fight for every frame, but he ultimately couldn’t prevent his opponent from getting his hands on the Ray Reardon Trophy.

Milkins seemed to be off to a roll, making a cagey break of 58 without disturbing the pack of reds, but he let Murphy in – the Magician made a 60 to steal the opener, and then won a scrappy second frame to lead 2-0. Milkins made 41 in the third frame before giving Murphy another chance – he build up to a careful clearance, but failed to complete it on the final red, accidentally snookering himself, and Milkins stole this frame to get on the scoreboard. Murphy opened the door in frame four, but Milkins missed a simple red and it was 3-1 at the interval.

The Bristolian needed to fight back, and he did. He made 46 and 66 to move within one, then he levelled, stealing a frame from Murphy after he played safe with a sizeable lead of 58. Milkins needed the colours, and he got them. It was a tense seventh frame, but Milkins took the lead for the first time. Murphy then responded, and a break of 68 ensured that he levelled the match, and it was 4-4 heading into the evening session.

It was anyone’s match, and Milkins was keen to take it. In frame nine, Milkins made 55 to take the lead, then Murphy levelled again with a run of 70. Frame 11 should have been Milkins, but he played safe on an awkward table, knowing Murphy could only tie and would likely struggle to do so. Murphy cleared up to force a re-spotted black, but he missed a tough cut and left a sitter for Milkins to go ahead. A break of 60 followed, and Milkins was 7-5 ahead at the final interval.

I could have played a bit better but I just didn’t really have it today

– Shaun Murphy

Murphy fought back with a break of 64, and Milkins made one of his own to make it 8-6, moving within one of victory. The Bristol player missed a red to left centre to give Murphy a chance in frame 15, and he was punished for it – the former world champion produced a superb 114, the only century of the match, to keep his hopes alive. It was cagey in the 16^th frame, and a big fluke threatened to give Murphy an opening. He made just 11 before missing a red to right centre, and Milkins didn’t give him another opportunity – he made 64 and secured the match.

After the match, Milkins said: “I can’t even speak, it’s unreal really. All through the day I was struggling a bit, same as Shaun. Obviously, I had a lot of reason to struggle, it’s a lot of money to me that is.

“I tried to not think about it and to be fair I played all right in the evening, but to start off with it was really hard work and if Shaun had been at 20% of his game I’m sure he would have took a lead going into tonight.

“Obviously Gibraltar was brilliant, but beating somebody like Shaun in a best-of-17 in a final, even if he didn’t play well, is just the icing on the cake.”

Murphy said: “Obviously I’m disappointed. I couldn’t have tried any harder, I left it all out there. I could have played a bit better but I just didn’t really have it today and all credit to Rob, he was by far the better player.”

Milkins claims the tournament first prize of £80,000, as well as a £150,000 bonus for topping the BetVictor Series ranking list, which has run across eight events since last July. He also books a place in the 2023 Champion of Champions tournament, and might also pick up a spot in next month’s Tour Championship and a top 16 seeding at the Crucible in April.