Mark Williams cruises past Jamie Cope to reach quarter-finals of World Snooker Championship 2011
Welshman Mark Williams became the first man to reach the quarter-final stage of the World Snooker Championship 2011 after beating Englishman Jamie Cope with a massive lead of nine frames at 13-4.
The Welsh Potting Machine, Williams, hit some extraordinary shots to build outstanding breaks during the match.
The world number two Williams completely unsettled his opponent from Staffordshire in the first session. He took a quick 4-0 lead in the match after pocketing a couple of superb clearances of 51 and 72 in the second and third frames respectively.
Cope moved within three frames down with 4-1 after he clinched his first frame of the match at 49-64 followed by the Welsh cueman’s three consecutive frame wins with 69-10, 61-37 and 87-0 firing a fine half century break of 54 in the sixth frame to extend
his lead to 7-1 at the end of the first session.
The 25-year-old Cope started the second session with a sensational near-century break of 96 to take the ninth frame in one visit. After that, Williams sparked his cue brilliantly and grabbed five consecutive frames after smashing some terrific knocks of
53, 61, 106 and 109 to move within an 11-frame lead at 12-1.
However, Cope fought back and took back-to-back frames at 22-71 and 7-72 with two stunning clearances of 71 and 72 but the damage was already done by the Welshman Mark Williams. The 36-year-old Williams needed only one frame to ensure his second-round victory
and a quarter-final spot which he took in the very first frame of the third session with 64-37.
Williams has reached the quarter-final stage for the first time since 2006 and is eager to clinch his third world title. He is quite happy with his form so far but not overexcited.
“I'm not getting overexcited with the way I'm playing, but I know I've got to find another level if I'm going further in the tournament,” said Williams. “I know I've got the game, it's just a matter of changing up at the right time. It's nice to be in the
second week of the tournament for a change, it's a strange feeling. But I feel as though I've got as good a chance as anybody of winning it.”
The Welshman will next face the winner of the second round match between Mark Allen and Barry Hawkins in the quarter-final of the Championship on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
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