Dragons stayed ice cool to keep Euro hopes alive - boss JonesMARK Williams is under no illusions about the task which awaits him at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday when he faces world number one Mark Selby in the first round of the Dafabet Masters.

Cwm cueman Williams, who won the prestigious event in 1998 and 2003, feels Selby is without a doubt snooker’s current standard bearer.

Selby, known as the ‘Jester from Leicester’, is bidding for his fourth Masters crown after sealing triumphs in 2008, 2010 and 2013 – he is also a two-time world champion.

“You have to bring your best game against Selby,” said world number 15 Williams. “If he’s playing badly he’s still one of the toughest players to beat – his B-game is probably better than most people’s A-game.

“I’m not playing great at the moment, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m in the event and that’s the most important thing.”

The Gwent ace missed the Masters in 2014 and 2015 after dropping out of the top 16, but returned last year and nearly beat eventual winner Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round.

Having led 4-2, Williams succumbed to a nerve-jangling 6-5 defeat – O’Sullivan started the defence of his title at the weekend by edging out Liang Wenbo, also in a final-frame decider.

Now Williams can’t wait to get back into the Alexandra Palace arena to face Selby.

“One of my aims was to get back there,” added the 41-year-old. “It’s one of the best venues we play in.

“Only the top players are there and I’m playing the best player in the world.

“It will be a difficult game for me but I’m just happy to be back there.”

Williams’ first Masters victory came in dramatic circumstances 19 years ago as he beat Stephen Hendry 10-9 after the deciding frame came down to a re-spotted black.

“I can’t remember a lot about the tournaments I’ve won, but that one sticks in the mind being a re-spotted black,” he said. “I just remember the tension. It was probably the most nervous I’ve been.

“We had a couple of digs at it each. It was electric. Since then I’ve never played anywhere with an atmosphere like that.

“If you win 10-2 or 10-3 nobody ever really remembers it, but because it was a re-spotted black it was an unbelievable atmosphere.”