CHINA’S Zhao Xintong will be standing in the way of Mark Williams when the two-time former world champion begins his quest to reach the Crucible later this week.

Cwm cueman Williams, 42, missed out on automatic qualification for the World Championship as a result of his 10-8 loss to Mark Selby in Sunday’s China Open final.

Chasing a first ranking title in six years, Williams led the world number one 8-7 at one stage, before the Leicester potter stormed back to claim three frames in a row.

“It was a fantastic game from start to finish,” said Williams. “I was 8-7 up and then didn’t get much of a chance in the last three frames.

“I was playing the number one in the world and one of the best players ever, and I pushed him all the way.”

The win gave Selby an 11th ranking tournament success, a first prize of £85,000, and a timely boost as he prepares to start the defence of his Crucible crown on April 15.

Victory in Sheffield would make it three world titles for Selby, 33, who also lifted the trophy in 2014.

For Williams, he must now win three matches in qualifying at Ponds Forge, also in Sheffield, to make his 20th World Championship appearance.

Only once since his Crucible debut in 1997 has the left-hander failed to feature in the finale to the snooker season.

He faces world number 84 Xintong in the first qualifying round on Saturday – the Ponds Forge event runs from tomorrow until April 12.

But Williams isn’t the only Gwent player bidding for a place at the sport’s showpiece occasion.

Jackson Page, 15, has accepted an invitation from the game’s governing body and will play Martin O’Donnell on Thursday.

If he does make it through then the Ebbw Vale teenager will become the youngest ever player to appear in the World Championship at the famous Yorkshire venue.

Newbridge’s Lee Walker is involved in an all-Welsh clash against Matthew Stevens tomorrow, while Newport’s Ian Preece takes on Ian Burns.

Saturday sees Cwmbran’s Jak Jones lock horns with Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham.