Mark Williams Admits Fourth World Title Remains a Bridge Too Far

Welsh sporting legend Williams - a three-time world champion and one of snooker’s most cherished icons – recognised he had not played well enough to make the last eight.

The 51-year-old from Cwm saw his latest bid for a fourth world crown end in a 13-9 defeat as Hawkins produced a relentless display to reach the quarter-finals. 

For Williams, who carried the hopes of Wales once more on snooker’s grandest stage, there was disappointment—but also clear-eyed acceptance that the better man had won.

A year on from becoming the oldest world finalist in Crucible history before losing to Zhao Xintong, Williams was unable to summon another vintage Sheffield charge. 

Though the Welsh potting machine showed resilience and flashes of his enduring class, particularly in the opening and closing sessions, he acknowledged that Hawkins’ consistency across all three sessions made the difference.

"The second session was probably where I lost it,” said Williams. 

“The first session was good and so was the last session. I think Barry was really good all the way through and he was by far the better player.

"I think that was the best reception I've ever had at the Crucible. They were on their feet before even Barry went out. It was unbelievable.

"I just had to try my best over the three sessions. In two I played OK but the second session, I didn't play very well and that's when he got a good lead.”

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For one of Wales’ greatest-ever sportsmen, whose three world titles and enduring brilliance have cemented his place alongside the nation’s finest, the Crucible crowd’s extraordinary ovation was a reminder of the esteem in which he is held. 

As part of snooker’s famed Class of ’92, Williams walked into an arena roaring with admiration, sharing a spine-tingling reception with fellow legends Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins.

"It was the best reception I've ever seen here. They were all on their feet. It probably won't happen again with all three of us [of the 'Class of 92'] in the same session.

"I tried to come back but he was just the better player. I just don't make enough breaks any more. I broke down on 40 or 50.

"There's nothing else I can really do, I can't practise for hours each day and I can't get better - as you go on, you get worse and worse."

Despite Williams’ fighting spirit, Hawkins’ lead proved too much. 

Beginning the final session 10-6 behind, the Welshman reduced the arrears early on and threatened one of his trademark revivals, but Hawkins repeatedly found the answers. 

A crucial 85 break in frame 18 halted Williams’ momentum, and although the Welsh icon battled to close the gap again, a missed opportunity in frame 22 allowed Hawkins to finish the job.

For Hawkins, defeating a player of Williams’ stature on the Crucible stage marked one of the standout victories of his career.

"To come here, play like that and beat him at the Crucible is a special result for me," said Hawkins.

"I've beaten him the last couple of times we've played now. I think in the past I had too much respect for him. I used to crumble against those sorts of players. 

“I think in the last four or five years I've had more belief in myself and that has made the difference in the last few days.

"It was an amazing reception. I could see on the screen before I walked out that there was already a standing ovation. 

“They weren't standing for me, they were standing for the Class of 92. When I walked out, what a feeling, it is the best place to play when it is like that."

While Hawkins marches on, Williams exits with his reputation as a Welsh sporting hero undiminished. 

Three world titles, decades of brilliance, and the love of the Crucible ensured that even in defeat, one of Wales’ greatest champions remained centre stage.

Elsewhere, Ronnie O’Sullivan seized control against John Higgins, opening up a 6-2 lead in their latest chapter, compiling breaks of 86, 82, 137, 95, and 76 in a dazzling display.