Williams delighted to be back in the frame for title
HAVING reached five previous World Championship semi-finals, you might think the experience would be old hat for Mark Williams, but he promises number six will be the most special of them all.
Williams’ resurgence has been one of the stories of the snooker season – the 43-year-old winning two ranking events, his first for six years, and now reaching a world semi-final for the first time since 2011.
The latter came courtesy of a relatively comfortable 13-8 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan’s conqueror Ali Carter in the quarter-finals on Wednesday evening – the Cwm cueman converting a 9-7 lead heading into the final session, with breaks of 113 and 83 the highlight.
He began his semi-final against another veteran, 39-year-old Barry Hawkins, last night.
And, while Williams’ achievements already this season have been spectacular, securing two more wins to claim a third world title would top them all.
“I haven’t won it since 2003 and I honestly thought my days were up, but the season I have had so far, then why not,” said Williams. “There’s only four players remaining and I’ve got as good a chance as anyone else left in it.
“I’m only two matches away, playing the best stuff I’ve played in donkey’s years and I’m confident and relaxed. It’s going to be special playing in the one-table set-up at the Crucible again.
“I’m going to enjoy this more than any other semi-final I’ve been in because the tour is getting stronger, the standard is going up and I’m getting older.