Dominic Dale came from 6-2 behind to win the Shanghai Masters against fellow Welshman Ryan Day.
First ranking title in ten years for Dale
Dominic Dale produced a stirring comeback from 6-2 behind to beat fellow Welshman Ryan Day 10-6 in the final of the Shanghai Masters.
Eight frames on the bounce saw the Neath man overhaul the Bridgend potter's advantage and claim the prize at the Grand Stage.
Day had been flying early on with two centuries and three half-centuries giving him a four-frame cushion at the interval.
But with Day seemingly cruising towards victory, Dale sparked his comeback with a break of 84 in the ninth frame, and a century in the next saw him click into gear.
All-Welsh final
The two practice partners were contesting the first all-Welsh ranking final since the World Championship seven years ago between Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens, and it was Day who started the better.
The world number 16 signalled his intent in the opening frame of the match, rattling in a fine break of 105 to get on the board first.
Dale hit back with a 54 break to level the match but, after also losing the third frame, Day made it all square at 2-2 thanks to another fine century, this time a 115 doing the damage.
The 27-year-old followed up that century by knocking in a 76 to move ahead, and further runs of 74 and 59 helped him take five frames on the spin for a 6-2 lead.
Dale was not beaten yet though, and his break of 84 under intense pressure saw him get back into the match at 6-3 behind.
Highest break
Perhaps the pivotal moment came in the following frame when Dale smashed in a superb 143, which gave him an extra £2,000 as the highest break of the tournament.
He went from strength to strength, winning the next six frames to race away to a 10-6 victory.
It was a first ranking event title for 'Spaceman' Dale in ten years, with the 35-year-old's only previous success coming in the 1997 Grand Prix.
Dale also moves up to number 31 in the world rankings, and his first return into the elite top 32 for two years.
