Snooker: Making His Mark in the World x22

2 Shares

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text]

Mark Williams 2018 Champion: From Germany to Sheffield to Yushan, China. He’s made his mark 22 times in his career…

He’s been making his mark on the World Snooker Tour since 1992.

And now, 22 ranking titles on, Mark Williams is not only in 2018 a World Champion, but a World Open Champion.

From 2017 where he was even thinking of quitting, to 2018 and already that’s already a German Masters, a World title, and World Open. The season has barely begun and in the form and mindset Williams is in, you wouldn’t bet against him not winning more this season.

Just when fans thought Williams, the oldest World Champion at 43 since Ray Reardon was out of Yushan in the final at 9 – 5, the Welsh Wizard won five on the bounce to beat David Gilbert 10 – 9 in a thrilling decider.

Williams, still on a high after his World Championship went into Riga slightly rusty but then it was only a matter of time before the three-time World Champion kicked into gear and got back to winning ways.

Will It Be Third Time Lucky for Gilbert?

David Gilbert talking to World Snooker after his semi-final win, on Youtube

It was Dave Gilbert’s second-ranking final and there was no sign that the International Championship runner-up was overawed by the occasion. In fact, he was relishing it – as in the first session a break of 142 secured him the joint high break prize with Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham as he trousered £2,500 along with his £75K runner-up cheque.

Incidentally, this is Dave Gilbert’s second final where he’s met a class of 92 player, and lost. Maybe it will be third time lucky for Dave? Here’s hoping…

Gilbert is now no 20 in the World rankings.

Williams, who is part of the trio of the famous professionals who turned pro in 92 – last season won three ranking titles. He’s already won one this season, how many can he get this time?

Remember, Williams is part of Team SightRight, along with Ronnie O’Sullivan, who hasn’t played yet this season in front of the TV cameras.

Williams, however, pocketed £150K to add to his £425K he trousered in Sheffield, and a thumbs up on twitter after! Life is good, especially if you’re now no 2 in the World rankings!…