Mark Williams makes winning return to Premier League snooker
After five years away from the Premier League, Mark Williams came from 2-0 down to defeat Mark Selby 4-2 last night.
Williams won the China Open last season and returned to form after dropping out of the top-16 rankings.
Last night, the two-time world champion found himself a frame behind after he missed a red into the bottom left corner. Selby was able to clear up with a break of 101 and make the first century of the night.
Williams didn’t do much wrong, but found himself 2-0 down, as Selby made a break of 84. Less than 20 minutes had been played, and the first two frames were of the highest standard.
The quality continued, as Williams responded with his own century break, a 113, to halve the deficit. Selby broke down on a break of 22 in the fourth frame when he missed a red into the middle pocket, presenting the chance for Williams. However, when it looked as though he would draw level, he missed the final yellow on a break of 48, but Selby missed two frame-winning pots on the last pink. Williams wasn’t punished for his error and managed to square the tie.
The Welshman had all the momentum as Selby went off the boil, and he made breaks of 35 and 47 to lead the reigning Masters champion for the first time in the match. After a long safety exchange in the final frame of the evening, Williams’ effort of 42 gave him the two points.
“I can't remember the last time I played in front of this many people,” said Williams.
“The more people watching, the more you enjoy it and you play better. Apart from two or three ranking tournaments, the Premier League is the best event in snooker. Selby started off really well, knocked in a century and I thought I would be three or 4-0 down within 45 minutes.
“That's how good a player he is - I was two down before I had a shot but that's what happens. I then got my chances and started making some good breaks,” he added.
In the night’s other match, Ding Junhui and Ronnie O’Sullivan played out a 3-3 draw. Both players have yet to win a game, and for O’Sullivan it is two games and two draws.
Ding came charging out of the blocks by knocking in a 122 to take the opening frame. The second frame saw both players involved in a good safety battle, and O’Sullivan took the frame to level. Another century of the night came, this time from O’Sullivan, as he compiled a delightful 119 to go 2-1 up.
Ding - who lost 5-1 to reigning Premier League champion Shaun Murphy on the first night - replied with a break of 89 to level at 2-2. O’Sullivan then went 3-2 in front to guarantee himself a point, as his break of 67 saw him recover from difficult shots from every position. The final frame should have been the Rocket’s, but he missed the last pink to give Ding a share of the spoils.
“I should've potted the pink but I missed it and you don't deserve to win if you miss balls like that,” said O’Sullivan.
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