Disappointed Williams set for snooker break after loss

MARK Williams admits he doesn’t know the next time he will pick up a snooker cue after crashing out of the 19.com English Open.

The 44-year-old had limped into the last 64 with an unconvincing win over Jamie Clarke in his opener, and despite posting an encouraging, tournament-high break of 142 in the last frame of that match, failed to find any form in his latest clash as he fell 4-1 to Michael Holt.

Williams stole an early lead with a close-fought 62-54 first frame win, but his world number 45 opponent powered into a 2-1 lead with two half-centuries.

The final two frames of the contest hung largely in the balance – with Holt edging to a 68-65 win in the fourth – but the Triple Crown winner was in no doubt that he didn’t deserve a spot in the tournament’s last 32.

“That was as bad as I could play really,” he said. “A couple of frames could’ve gone either way and I had chances to make good headway in the game, but overall it was terrible.

“I’m not putting enough work in to get good results and that’s what you’ve got to do if you want to do well in any competition.

“It could be the UK Championship before you see me again,” he said. “I’m just glad to be going home now because I felt like I’d already had 12 months off out there on the table.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Day was also sent home after he succumbed to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Elliot Slessor.

■ Watch the English Open live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with studio analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jimmy White