13 January 2023 , 08:39
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Snooker star Mark Williams attempted an audacious shot during his Masters quarter-final win over Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Leading by 29 points in a tense deciding frame, the 47-year-old tried to pot a red on the opposite side of the table from where he was standing with just one hand. The unsuccessful shot prompted gasps from the crowd, but it soon turned to applause as they appreciated his efforts.
“One handed we’ve seen this before from Williams, unorthodox for sure,” the commentator said just before he struck the ball. "And on this occasion it was not effective but at least he has been able to run to safety.”
While those in attendance enjoyed the shot however, there were some fans on social media who were not impressed, and one even called the Welshman a “show-off’. “Why was he potting it one handed ?” one asked, before another posted: “He shouldn't be doing that in a match.” While another user joked: "The Welsh Potting Machine! (Is that still his nickname?) ;-)”
He certainly lived up to his moniker as Williams knocked out the world No.1 and reigning world champion at London’s Alexandra Palace. Both players made their debut in 1992 and O'Sullivan surged 3-0 ahead, but Williams hit back to lead 5-4 before winning a dramatic decider.
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O’Sullivan had the chance for victory in the final frame, but he missed the black off the spot, allowing Williams to claim a memorable win with a fine break of 102. The victory marked the three-time world champion’s first over his English opponent since 2014 at the International Championship.
An elated Williams said on BBC Two post-match: "In the first three frames I didn't have a shot, he tied me up in knots but I felt the crowd wanted me to win towards the end, that is unbelievable. You are playing the greatest player ever, if I don't beat him for another 20 years I don't care. It is up there as my best performance. I fancied beating him."
Mark Williams tried an ambitious one handed shot against Ronnie O'Sullivan at The Masters (@eurosport/Twitter)Williams won the Masters in 1998 and 2003 and asked if he could win a third, he replied: "I am not going to go that far. I have been playing well for a while and I am over the moon."
O'Sullivan reflected: "I just didn't score, didn't make any breaks and my cue ball wasn't great. I hung in there, the battling qualities forced a decider.
"He played the better snooker and was more clinical. I was happy to get it to five and, when you are not playing well, those blacks can be missed." Williams will go on to face Jack Lisowski in the semi-finals this weekend after he defeated Masters debutant Hossein Vafaei in the last eight.