Mark Williams, twice a world champion already in his career, suggests he has ‘as good a chance as anyone’ left in this year’s World Championship in Sheffield. The Welsh left-hander, Crucible king in 2000 and 2003, completed an impressive 10-5 win over Jimmy Robertson to reach the second round on Wednesday. He’ll now face Robert Milkins in the last-16 after he upset former world champion Neil Robertson in their first-round clash.
Williams, 43, has already enjoyed a resurgent season. He won his first ranking title since 2011 at the Northern Ireland Open and added further silverware at the German Masters. He now has 20 ranking-event wins under his belt in an impressive career. Such has been his good form this season that Williams has climbed back up to seventh in the latest world rankings. His play against Robertson was out of the top drawer at times, including a high-break of 140. Williams though felt the damage was done in winning some scrappy early frames. “The damage was done in the first session really. It’s first to ten but the first frame was massive, and I beat him on the black and that put him under pressure. He should have won the first two frames really,” he said.
His form has been pleasing and with plenty of big names already out – world number one and defending champion Mark Selby amongst them – Williams isn’t playing down his hopes of a third Crucible crown. “I’m coming into this tournament playing the best I’ve played for many years. I’ve got as good as chance as anyone left in the tournament.” Williams is 2/11 to defeat Milkins in the last-16 while he’s now priced at 12/1 to win the title in Sheffield.
Snooker odds available at Dafabet.