Mark Williams . . . Still Rocking And Rolling Back The Years At The Crucible

Mark Williams turned back the clock once again at the Crucible, drawing on every drop of his know-how and tactical savvy to edge China’s Wu Yize 10-8 and book his place in the second round of the World Snooker Championship. 

But for Wales’ 50-year-old three-time world champion, the story wasn't just about the result — it was about survival, experience, and a little bit of magic when it mattered most.

“It was a tough game all the way through. I think I was 3-0 up and then I didn’t pot a ball for three or four frames. Some of the balls he potted were incredible,” said Williams, reflecting on a match where momentum swung freely but poise under pressure proved the difference.

“He’s got the potential to win this tournament, there’s absolutely no question.”

For long spells, the 21-year-old Wu — one of the most exciting players in China’s new wave — looked capable of pulling off a career-defining upset. 

He clawed back a 5-4 overnight deficit to lead 8-7 and had one foot in the last 16 before a missed red with the rest in frame 16 opened the door. 

Williams, almost instinctively, walked through it.

“I got stronger towards the end and if I can’t outscore or outpot him, I suppose I can outwit him,” added Williams.

And that’s exactly what he did. 

After levelling the match at 8-8 with a crafty piece of safety on the final red, Williams closed out the contest with breaks of 58 and 75, showcasing the calm control and clever shot selection that has made him a Crucible legend.

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What made his performance all the more remarkable was the context. Williams, who recently turned 50, has been battling eyesight problems in recent months — an issue he’s openly admitted may require surgery in the summer. 

After a loss to Ding Junhui earlier this season, he bluntly said his “eyes had completely gone.” 

Yet somehow, in his 70th Crucible match, he produced when it counted most.

While Williams rolled back the years, China’s contingent made headlines elsewhere in Sheffield. 

Xiao Guodong reached the second round with a 10-4 win over Matt Selt, and Zhao Xintong opened up a commanding 7-2 lead against last year’s finalist, Williams’ fellow Welshman, Jak Jones, with a devastating display that included a 142 clearance and five more breaks over 70.

Xiao, who may face John Higgins next, hailed the rise of Chinese talent at the tournament.

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He said: “To have 10 Chinese players at the Crucible is amazing. I see them coming to the UK and as an older player I try to help them. In the future there will be many more young talents.”

Meanwhile, Mark Allen fought back from a slow start to take a 5-4 overnight lead against Fan Zhengyi, while Hossein Vafaei, Williams’ next opponent, edged past Barry Hawkins in a final-frame thriller.

But the spotlight remained on the cool-headed Williams, who may be wrestling with physical limitations, but whose brain remains razor sharp. 

With 22 appearances in the Crucible last 16 now under his belt, Williams has once again proven that while others may dazzle, class is permanent.