World champion Mark Williams felt an improved dedication to practice helped him deliver an impressive win over Ali Carter at the Players Championship in Preston.
The Welsh potter has struggled at times this season and he conceded that his efforts on the practice table have not been of the standard needed at times.
Breaks of 118, 131, 51, 70 and 79 ensured he overpowered Carter for a 6-2 win, setting up a mouthwatering quarter-final with Neil Robertson on Thursday.
With the defence of his Crucible crown creeping closer, Williams has rediscovered his hunger and he also remains determined to book his place in the eight-man field for the Coral Tour Championship in Llandudno later this month.
“That’s probably the best I have played all season,” said Williams. “I felt good out there, I have been practising hard for the last few weeks and it showed. My break building was good, my safety was good and I enjoyed it.
“My main aim this season was to qualify for the Tour Championship, I am on the border of doing that now. I won a tournament at the start of the season (the Yushan World Open) which almost put me into Llandudno and that was my downfall because I haven’t played much since.”
Robertson, in action for the first time since he won the Welsh Open last month in Cardiff, overcame Joe Perry 6-3 to set up his showdown with Williams.
The Aussie is relishing this phase of the season, with big tournaments and impressive venues coming to the fore as the World Championship looms large, though Robertson knows that winning this week will be hard earned, whoever raises the trophy on Sunday.
“It’s a big part of the season coming up with massive tournaments, all at really good venues which is exciting, that’s what we play the game for,” he said. “This event is the top 16 on the one-year list, so it’s the players in form, even more so than the Masters. A lot of the players in the field have won titles this season. It will be really tough to win.”
Robertson is slight favourite at 1.75 to overcome Williams, with the left-hander priced at 2.05 to continue his good play and book a semi-final spot.