Triple Blow as Mark Williams, Jak Jones and Jackson Page are Sent Packing from the Welsh Open

It ensured there will be no home representation in the quarter-finals in Llandudno.

Three Welshmen began the day still dreaming of a deep run at Venue Cymru. By the evening, all three had exited, extending the long wait for a home champion.

The biggest blow came with the departure of two-time winner Mark Williams. 

The Welsh legend, champion in 1996 and 1999 and the last Welshman to reach the final back in 2003, was edged out 4-2 by Barry Hawkins.

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

Williams had looked poised to progress. After taking a 2-1 lead, he compiled his highest break of the tournament — a superb 115 — to underline his intent. 

A pivotal moment arrived in frame five when, on the verge of moving 3-2 ahead, Williams saw the cue ball drop into the middle pocket. 

Hawkins seized the reprieve, clearing the table before producing an 84 in the next to seal victory.

"I thought it was a good match, we both played really well," Williams told BBC Sport Wales.

"I made some great breaks and just a little bit of luck in the last couple of frames decided the way it went.

"It's fine margins at this high level and I was just a little bit unlucky today."

READ MORE: In Praise of Mark Williams: The Welsh legend Rewriting Snooker History at 50

Williams’ exit set the tone for a disappointing day for the home contingent.

Jak Jones was next to fall in a dramatic 4-3 defeat to two-time champion Neil Robertson. 

The match exploded into life immediately as Jones fired in a 126 in the opening frame, only for Robertson to respond with a 122 of his own. 

The Australian twice moved in front at 2-1 and 3-2, and although Jones forced a decider, Robertson held his nerve, potting a superb brown and tricky pink to clinch the final frame.

READ MORE: Defiant, But Defeated, Mark Williams Is Full of Praise After Zhao Xintong’s Historic World Title Win

That result left Jackson Page as the last remaining Welsh hope. However, he too was unable to advance, beaten 4-2 by Jack Lisowski. 

The Englishman was in fluent scoring form, compiling breaks of 67, 84, 99 and 54 in a polished display to book his place in the last eight.

With Page’s defeat, Welsh involvement in this year’s tournament came to an abrupt end.

Elsewhere, Hawkins’ reward for defeating Williams is a quarter-final showdown with Robertson, setting up a clash between two former champions. 

Lisowski will face 2017 winner Stuart Bingham, who saw off world champion Zhao Xintong 4-2.

John Higgins remains on course for a sixth Welsh Open crown after a 4-2 win over Zhang Anda, highlighted by breaks of 95, 78, 60 and a magnificent 144 that fell just short of a maximum 147. 

He will meet either Zhou Yuelong or Sam Craigie for a semi-final spot.

But for the home crowd in north Wales, attention will no longer be on local heroes. 

In the space of a few hours, Williams, Jones and Page all went through the exit door — and with them went any prospect of a Welsh presence in the final stages.