Mark Williams reaches last 16 of UK Championship
Mark Williams advanced to the last 16 of the UK Championship on Sunday evening with a 6–4 victory over David Gilbert, though the three-time world champion’s progress was punctuated by a rare flash of irritation following an uncharacteristic miss, reports BritPanorama.
The Welshman, who remains one of the sport’s most consistent performers at 50, produced another accomplished display to overturn an early deficit and secure his place in the second round.
Williams had fallen 2-1 behind after a strong start from Gilbert, who compiled two century breaks during the match, including one that briefly threatened a late fightback. However, from 2-1 down, Williams strung together four consecutive frames with typical efficiency, shifting the momentum decisively in his favour.
Though Gilbert narrowed the margin with his second ton, Williams closed out the match in a composed 10th frame to complete the 6-4 victory. The performance, however, was not without its frustrations. During the fourth frame, while still trailing 2-1, Williams missed a routine pot and responded by thumping his cue against the floor, a rare outburst from a player generally known for his composure.
He then turned to the audience and jokingly mimed throwing the cue into the crowd before returning to his seat, drawing a ripple of laughter around the York Barbican as Gilbert prepared to play. Asked afterwards whether the moment of levity helped settle him, Williams was blunt in his assessment. “I was still swearing to myself 10 minutes after that,” he said.
“After the interval, we both played quite well. It could have been five-five. I’m happy to have got that last frame,” he noted, highlighting the improved quality of play after the mid-session break.
His tactical assurance and break-building continue to shine through, even as he has openly acknowledged frustrations with his eyesight in recent months. The victory extends Williams’s strong run of form in a season that has already seen him lift ranking silverware and produce some of the finest snooker of his later career.
With the win, Williams moves into the last 16, maintaining his bid for a fourth UK Championship title more than two decades after he first lifted the trophy. Whether he can go all the way remains to be seen, but his ability to raise the standard when it matters is a reminder of the resilience required at this level.
