Reigning world champion Mark Williams produced the goods late on as he advanced at the Hong Rui Ma Yushan World Open after beating Lukas Kleckers.

The three-time world champion looked dangerously close to an exit – he trailed Kleckers 4-3 at one point – but he found a way to win the first-round tie. The Welshman knocked in a break of 120 and was 2-0 up before Germany’s Kleckers hit back with breaks of 73, 85 and 66 to claim four of the next five frames. Despite the warm conditions, Williams remained calm and eventually sealed victory with breaks of 94 and 77 to win 5-4.

He will now take on Alexander Ursenbacher in the last 64 and the world number three admits he got lucky on Monday. Williams told World Snooker: “Every win is a bonus because I have only had a few hours practice in the last two months. I made three or four good breaks in the match.

“It was very warm out there. I’m absolutely soaking, it was very difficult conditions. I was putting my towel into the ice bucket, getting it freezing cold and putting it around my neck. Anything to cool off.

“You have to adapt and try your best, there is no point coming here and wanting to go home. I love coming to China and always have done.

“There is a lot of money to be played for out here so you have to get used to it. If you are a young player, I doubt there is a better sport to be involved in.”

Ursenbacher is the 5.25 outsider for Wednesday’s match, while Williams is 1.14 to reach the next round.