Mark Williams sizzles to coast through to Championship League snooker last 32, Barry Pinches also advances
Mark Williams got the new season up and running in fine style by winning Group 6 at the Championship League in Leicester on Friday.
The three-time world champion opened his account for the new campaign, the 32nd of his professional career, with a 3-0 win over Daniel Holoyda, a late call-up to replace Thor Chuan Leong, before completing a 3-1 win over Ken Doherty and a closing 3-0 victory over fellow Welshman Dylan Emery.
Last season’s Masters finalist progresses to the second group phase of the season’s first ranking event at the Morningside Arena next month.
Snooker
‘I’m delighted’ – Wilson makes strong start to season at Championship League
YESTERDAY AT 21:28
Williams finished the day with two centuries and six breaks over 50 in winning nine frames with a vintage display that oozed class.
“He’s enjoying it. You never know, one day he might be good enough to turn pro, but he’s only ten so we’ll see if he sticks with it.”
The world No. 10 was joined in the last 32 by veteran Norwich cueman Barry Pinches, who remained unbeaten in topping Group 29 courtesy of wins against Julien Leclercq and Joshua Thomond, who replaced Marco Fu, and a 2-2 draw with Jordan Brown.
Watch: Overhead view of spectacular Mark Williams 147 in English Open quarter-final
World No. 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan is due to return to action on Monday, July 10 and has been drawn in Group 1 alongside Scott Donaldson, Rod Lawler and Alfie Burden, who was successful in regaining a fresh two-year tour card at Q School earlier this month.
Masters winner Judd Trump meets Jimmy White, Reanne Evans and Xu Si in Group 2 on Tuesday, July 11 while Tour champion Shaun Murphy takes on Tian Pengfei, Lukas Kleckers and Andrew Pagett in Group 4 on Wednesday, July 12.
Championship League latest group winners
- Group 3: Ashley Carty (Eng)
- Group 30: Daniel Wells (Wal)
- Group 11: Martin O’Donnell (Eng)
- Group 21: Chris Wakelin (Eng)
- Group 10: Michael White (Wal)
- Group 22: Robbie Williams (Eng)
- Group 5: Kyren Wilson (Eng)
- Group 29: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Tha)
- Group 6: Mark Williams (Wal)
- Group 27: Barry Pinches (Eng)
‘I don’t know what he’s playing here…’ – Williams lands ‘superb’ screw shot
Championship League Stage 1
- June 26-30
- July 3-8
- July 10-14
Championship League Stage 2
Championship Stage 3
– – –
World Championship
Higgins crushes Wilson to reach Crucible quarter-finals
23/04/2023 AT 21:09
World Championship
Flawless Higgins blows Wilson away in first session of second round match
23/04/2023 AT 12:25
Read the full article Here
