Mark Williams . . . Carrying The Flag for Wales Again With Help From Jak Jones and Jackson Page

The 50-year-old, a two-time champion of this event, turned on the style at Venue Cymru with a 4-1 victory over Martin O’Donnell.

Williams rolled in three half-century breaks and the cue man from Cwm underlined his enduring class with a brilliant long red in the closing stages. 

It is the first time since 2021 that Williams has progressed to this phase of the tournament, and with no Welsh player having reached the final since his own run to the title match in 2003, the spotlight is firmly back on the sport’s elder statesman.

"I thought I played alright. Conditions were tough, it was flying off the cushions," Williams told BBC Sport.

"He (O'Donnell) missed a few there, he let me off the hook a few times. But overall I thought I played alright. I had a good break in the last frame."

Those words perhaps understated the authority of his performance. 

After a scrappy opening exchange, Williams settled quickly, dictating the tempo with clever safety and clinical scoring when opportunities arose. 

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His touch around the black spot and confidence in the long game suggested a player comfortable with both his form and the occasion.

Next up is 2018 runner-up Barry Hawkins, who advanced with a 4-2 win against Pang Junxu that featured breaks of 69, 72 and 52. 

Hawkins’ tactical nous and experience will present a stern examination, but Williams’ pedigree at this event — titles in 1996 and 1999 — ensures he will not be fazed.

He is not alone in flying the Welsh flag. 

Jak Jones and Jackson Page have also booked their places in the last 16, ensuring strong home representation as the tournament moves towards its business end.

Jones produced a composed display to see off Anthony McGill 4-2, compiling three breaks over 50 to control proceedings. 

His reward is a daunting clash with two-time Welsh Open champion Neil Robertson. 

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The Australian, who lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2019, recovered from dropping a marathon opening frame against Hossein Vafaei to reel off four straight frames in a 4-1 win. 

Having survived that early scare — including a dramatic steal on the black — Robertson stamped his authority on the contest with back-to-back centuries of 100 and 118.

Page, meanwhile, demonstrated resilience in a gripping 4-3 victory over Chang Bingyu. 

Trailing 3-2 after breaks of 65 and 74 from the Chinese player, Page responded with a superb 101 in the penultimate frame before sealing the decider 70-22. 

He now meets Jack Lisowski, who mounted an impressive comeback of his own to edge Xiao Guodong in a deciding frame.

Lisowski had trailed 3-1 — Guodong contributing a 113 along the way — but reeled off three consecutive frames, including an 83 to force the decider, which he clinched 56-39. 

With the £150,000 Home Nations Series bonus still in play, Lisowski is one of only two players who can deny Mark Allen the jackpot, though he would need Allen to reach the final this weekend for that scenario to unfold.

Elsewhere in the draw, Wu Yize appears well positioned after all the seeds in his quarter were eliminated early. 

The reigning International Championship winner defeated Joe O’Connor 4-2 in a contest featuring four half-century breaks and will next face David Grace, who beat Dylan Emery 4-1. 

A potential quarter-final against either Robbie Williams — who came from 2-0 down to overcome Stephen Maguire 4-3 — or Jiang Jun, a 4-0 winner over Yuan Sijun, awaits.

On the opposite side of the bracket, tournament favourite Zhao Xintong continues his quest for a third consecutive ranking title following victories at the World Grand Prix and Players Championship. 

Zhao saw off Stan Moody 4-2 and now faces Stuart Bingham, who beat David Gilbert by the same scoreline. 

Zhou Yuelong, a 4-1 victor over world number two Kyren Wilson, also remains in contention and will take on Sam Craigie, while Zhang Anda meets John Higgins in the remaining tie.

2026 Welsh Open

Last 16 (Thurs, Feb 26)

Jiang Jun v Robbie Williams
Wu Yize v David Grace
Mark Williams v Barry Hawkins
Jak Jones v Neil Robertson

Zhou Yuelong v Sam Craigie
Zhang Anda v John Higgins
Jackson Page v Jack Lisowski
Zhao Xintong v Stuart Bingham