Williams (left) is back to the form that made him a two-time world champion

Classy Welshman Mark Williams edged out England's Mark Selby to take the German Masters 9-7 after a superbly tense all-British final in Berlin on Sunday.

World number three Williams took a 5-3 lead from the opening session.

He then streaked ahead to 7-4 after the interval - but tenacious Selby refused to fold, pinning Williams back to 7-7 after winning a tight 14th frame 45-69.

But Williams dug deep to clinch the crucial next frame before easing away with a break of 77 to seal the title.

Williams clinched an 18th ranking title in the process after ending a seven-year hiatus since his second world title in 2003 by winning last year's China Open.

Selby, the world number six and twice a Masters champion, did take the first frame of the match with a break of 82 as he aimed for only his second ranking event victory after the 2008 Welsh Open.

Williams hit back instantly with a run of 56 before a majestic 108 moved him ahead, although Selby levelled at 2-2 and then 3-3 in the best-of-17 final.

But again Williams pulled away, winning the fourth ahead of another century [105] which saw him move two frames ahead.

606: DEBATE Real battle of minds between Mark Williams and Mark Selby... John from London Town MBE

At the first ranking event held in Germany for 14 years, Williams carried on where he had left off to move 6-3 ahead when play resumed.

Selby pulled back to 6-4 but a composed 90 from Williams put him on the brink at 7-4, leaving the Englishman requiring something special.

But the Leicester man promptly won three frames in a row as Williams fell at the yellow in the 14th frame, allowing Selby to steal it.

A long delay disrupted the momentum of the next frame as referee Jan Verhaas had to take his time in replacing the balls after Williams scattered them around as he attempted to escape a snooker.

Selby got back in and looked set to win it before missing a black off the spot, and Williams eventually finishing his man off to move to within reach of a title he eventually sealed in style.

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