CWM’S Mark Williams admits he has no choice but to look to win an unexpected career title after reaching the semi-final of the Welsh Open with a superb performance, writes Michael Pearlman.

The 39-year old, who is clinging to his all-important status as one of the world’s top 16 ranked players, began the week in Cardiff by making clear that his title tilts are a thing of the past, opining that he had little chance of glory in his home tournament.

The Gwent player hasn’t fashioned a career triumph since the 2011 German Masters, but he’s bang in contention to provide that elusive domestic winner of the Welsh Open after another fine display against Marco Fu, surely his best of an improving season.

Williams, one of the greatest players of his generation and a double world champion thanks to his triumphs at the Crucible in 2000 and 2003, made an emphatic start against Matthew Stevens’ conqueror Fu in Friday’s quarter-final, racing into a 4-0 lead as Williams punished minor mistakes by his opponent in ruthless fashion.

Breaks of 103, 76, 108 and then 80 pushed Williams into cruise control in the best of nine frame contest as Fu was fully tormented for just four missed pots; before Fu fired back with a century of his own to reduce the arrears to 4-1 after an interval that couldn’t have come at a worse time for Williams.

However, Williams, who has already beaten Judd Trump and Jamie Jones on route to the last eight, took advantage in frame six when Fu again slipped, this time after a break of 45, using a clever snooker to manoeuvre himself back onto the table and cleaning up with a decisive break of 46.

“I played well there, I had a lot of good breaks, some centuries, it’s one of those matches where I’ve played well in,” he said.

“If I play in that form, I can beat anybody. It is nice to know you are still capable of playing that well, but it’s hard to sustain that form over a consistent basis.

“I said I have accepted I am not going to be as good as I was and get that form back, but I can still do it for one match here and there.

“But accepting that has helped me, I am trying my best and enjoying it more, I don’t beat myself up about it anymore, as you get a bit older, you’ll start missing things.

“I have been practicing a lot and my mistakes don’t affect me as much anymore.”

Williams, whose family are in Cardiff, including his wife and four children, admitted family comforts add to the enjoyment in his home event.

“I try 100% at every tournament, but it is nice that my boys can come and watch,” he said.

“Normally they only get the chance if they can come somewhere for the first or second round, because I’m normally home by the third!

“But it’s nice to get any victory.

“I am fighting for a top 16 spot and this gives me a much better chance than I had a few months ago.

“It is 12-years since I’ve been to the semi-final here and it’s a shame, no Welshman has done it for a decade.

“My name has been on the trophy since 1996 but I’d love to do it again, I’ll be fighting, but whatever happens I will enjoy it.”