NANCHANG - World No 3 Mark Williams came from 9-5 down to beat David Gilbert 10-9 in a thrilling final to win the 2018 Snooker World Open in China on Sunday.

It was a week of comebacks for Williams as he beat Jack Lisowski 5-3 in the quarter-finals and Noppon Saengkham 6-5 in the semi-finals.

"At 9-5 down I was almost out," said Williams. "To win three matches I have looked like losing is unbelievable. I never give up or let my head drop, no matter what the score is. I never let my opponent see that I'm losing heart, and then sometimes it does turn around. Whatever is going on, you have to stick in there."

"It has been a good week but sadly it has ended in one of the most disappointing things that has ever happened to me." admitted Gilbert after the match. "I have to congratulate Mark because he saw it through."

The week-long competition offers a total prize of 735,000 pounds with the champion pocketing 150,000 pounds.