Players Championship Final Halted Over Cue Ball Controversy

The Players Championship final between Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump encountered an unusual delay on Sunday when both players raised concerns about the cue ball’s movement. The match was paused in the 10th frame as Wilson and Trump complained to the referee that something seemed off with the way the white ball was behaving on the table.

The issue arose after a fresh set of balls had been swapped in for the second session of play. Wilson was the first to voice his dissatisfaction, and Trump quickly concurred, stating the cue ball was “absolutely flying” off his cue in an unexpected manner.

Commentators Ken Doherty and Phil Yates discussed the situation, speculating that the cue ball may have been slightly lighter than the object balls, causing it to react differently than what the players were accustomed to. They noted this could negatively impact the quality of play for both competitors.

While it was initially thought all the balls might be replaced, only the cue ball was ultimately swapped out before the start of the 11th frame. The commentators explained that as long as both players were in agreement about the problem and solution, making this alteration mid-match was not an issue.

Wilson, who had looked uncomfortable with the cue ball since the second session began, managed to win the 10th frame and level the score at 5-5 despite the disruption. The match then resumed with the new cue ball in play.

The two snooker stars were vying for the £150,000 top prize, having entered the tournament as the highest-ranked players. This high-stakes final served as an important lead-up to the prestigious World Championship event set to commence in Sheffield next month.

Key Takeaways:

• Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump’s Players Championship final was briefly halted due to issues with the cue ball
• Both players complained the cue ball was reacting strangely after a new set of balls were introduced in the second session
• Commentators noted a lighter cue ball could negatively affect play for both competitors
• The cue ball alone was eventually replaced, allowing the match to continue once both players were satisfied
• Wilson and Trump, the top-ranked entrants, were competing for a £150,000 prize ahead of next month’s World Championship