Williams maintains home hopes

Mark Williams continued a fantastic start to the Welsh Open for home players when he beat Fergal O'Brien in a high-quality first-round clash. The experienced left-hander from Cwm has slipped to no.15 in the world but looked to be approaching his best...

Mark Williams continued a fantastic start to the Welsh Open for home players when he beat Fergal O'Brien in a high-quality first-round clash.

The experienced left-hander from Cwm has slipped to no.15 in the world but looked to be approaching his best form in the recent Masters at Wembley and continued his resurgence against Dubliner O'Brien.

The first four frames were shared but Williams secured the next two. O'Brien then motored to 49 in the next frame before unluckily going in off.

A break of 36 took Williams one point ahead and a topsy-turvy spell followed before the Irishman went in off again attempting a long pink and immediately conceded.

Other results: Cope bt Ding 5-3; Dott bt Perry 5-3.

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