Williams: Win and I’ll bare it

STRIP TEASE: Pledge by Williams MARK WILLIAMS has vowed to strip naked if he wins an unexpected third world snooker title.

The rejuvenated world No.7 is the oldest player left in the Betfred World Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

The Welshman, 43, won the first of his two crowns 18 years ago and was champion again three years later.

Williams almost quit the game last summer but the left-hander has bounced back in style this season.

He has won three tournaments but also had a narrow escape on the eve of his quarter-final against Ronnie O’Sullivan’s conqueror Ali Carter.

Williams almost broke a finger in his cueing hand when he tripped over at the venue on Monday night but stands 4-4 overnight after yesterday’s first session in their best of 25 match.

Sacrifices

And he said: “If I do win this for a third time, I will come in and do my press conference naked. How about that?

“My game might not quite be at the level it was when I was world No.1 but it’s not far off.”

Meanwhile, Judd Trump admits a first world title would mean far more to his parents than himself.

The Juddernaut holds a 5-3 lead over four-time champion John Higgins in their first Crucible rematch since their spectacular final of 2011, which Higgins won 18-15.

Dad Steve, a long-distance lorry driver, and mum Georgina, a school cook, made huge sacrifices ferrying their son around when he was starting out as a junior.

And the world No.3 said: “I would love to reward my parents for all the support they gave me, and the best way to do that would be to win a first world title.”