Snooker: Williams survives contest of kicks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mark Williams, winner of the UK title at York in December, carries the host nation's hopes of success in today's Welsh Open final at Cardiff International Arena after a 6-2 victory over Paul Hunter, the defending champion.
Partly due to an abnormal number of "kicks" – which distort the angle the object ball and/or cue ball follow on contact – this semi-final was no classic.
Hunter suffered two such horrors in the seventh frame after he had halved his 4-0 deficit, but his most significant error was a failed blue on 49-0 in the second frame.
Williams, who had clinched the opener with a run of 69, proved more adept in controlling the predominantly fragmentary frames of which the contest consisted. Hunter, winner of the British Open in November and five times a semi-finalist or better in this event, twice winning it, gained the impression after losing the seventh frame that "it wasn't my day'', but took away a cheque for £21,250 and can look forward to starting his defence of the Benson & Hedges Masters title at Wembley next week.
Williams, who will be appearing in his 19th final in three years today, is sure of £42,500 with at least an even chance of the £82,500 cheque which would accompany his third Welsh Open title.
''My ambition is to get back to world No 1,'' said the 2000 world champion, who has earned more ranking points than any other player in the first four of the season's eight counting events.
Williams will meet the winner of last night's semi-final between Marco Fu and Stephen Hendry. Fu's form this week has been a revelation. A run of 337 unanswered points was the centrepiece of his 5-0 trouncing of Stephen Lee, and one of 293 was at the core of his 5-3 win over the world No 1, Ronnie O'Sullivan. Hendry is seeking his first title for 14 months.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments