Barry Hawkins crowned European Masters champion after beating Judd Trump in the final
- Planet Sport writer
- 28 August 2023
England's Barry Hawkins overcame a late rally by Judd Trump to win the European Masters final 9-6 in Nuremberg on Sunday.
Barry Hawkins secured a 9-6 victory over Judd Trump to win the European Masters final in Nuremberg.
It was second-time lucky for the world number 19, who finished as the runner-up in last year's final, as he secured his first piece of silverware in six years.
He got off to a good start, taking an early lead with the first two frames, but Trump began to catch up with him, producing two century breaks.
However, Hawkins pulled away to restore his lead by two frames, finishing the afternoon session 5-3.
He looked to do the same in the evening, winning the first two frames but Trump bounced back with scores of 75, 70 and 73 to come within a single frame.
Despite Trump threatening to stage an incredible comeback, Hawkins comfortably took the next two frames to secure a 9-6 win.
"It feels amazing," Hawkins said in an interview with the World Snooker Tour.
"There was a stage in the match where you think 'Oh no, it's happening again' because I lost my way a little bit for a couple of frames, but towards the end I got my focus back and it was a weird sort of feeling, I started feeling calm again.
"I had a little bit of help from Judd today which I am thankful for because once he gets going he's such a dangerous player, but I battled hard all day.
"It wasn't the free-flowing match that we hoped but it doesn't matter at the end of the day, I'm just so happy to finally pick up another trophy."
