Win? I’ll go naked
MARK WILLIAMS has vowed to appear naked at the Crucible if he claims an unexpected third world title. The rejuvenated world No7 , is, at 43, the oldest player left in the Betfred World Championship in Sheffield. The Welshman won the first of his two crowns 18 years ago and repeated the feat three years later. He almost quit last summer but has has enjoyed a spectacular renaissance this season, winning three tournaments. Williams also had a narrow escape on the eve of his quarter-final against Ronnie O’Sullivan’s conqueror Ali Carter. He almost broke a finger in his cueing hand tripping off a platform at the tournament venue on Monday night, but stands 4-4 overnight after yesterday’s first session.
“If I do win this for a third time, 15 years after the last one, I will come in and do my press conference naked. How about that?” said Williams.
“I’m sure a lot of people would hold me to that now I have said it. I would love to make it to the semi-finals when it goes down to the one table and this venue turns into pretty much the best around.
“My game is in the best shape it has been in for years. It might not quite be at the level when I was world No1 nearly 20 years ago but it’s not far off those performances.”
Judd Trump admits a first world title would mean far more to his parents than himself. Dad Steve, a lorry driver, and mum Georgina, a cook, made huge sacrifices ferrying their son around as a junior.
World No4 Trump, 28, has seen the critics queue up to suggest he lacks the bottle to lift the sport’s biggest prize.
But the heir apparent to O’Sullivan, who holds a 5-3 lead over four-time champion John Higgins, said: “For me to win this title would be far more special for my dad than me, there is no question about that.
“I would love to reward my parents for all the help and support they gave me in the early years, there were plenty of sacrifices driving me everywhere.
“The best way would be a first world title.”