WELSH OPEN SNOOKER

Resurgent Gwent snooker star Mark Williams hopes to continue his winning streak at next week’s Welsh Open.

Williams won the German Masters last Sunday with a 9-7 victory over Mark Selby in the final. It was the 18th world ranking title of his career and eight of those have come overseas, but now he is targeting success much closer to home.

The Welsh Open runs from February 14 to 20 at the Newport Centre, with home favourites Williams, Matthew Stevens and Ryan Day battling the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and defending champion John Higgins for the title.

“It’s a really special tournament for me and for Matthew and Ryan too, but with it comes its own pressures,” said left-hander Williams, who is now up to second place in the world rankings, his highest position since 2005.

“I don’t think the three of us have done ourselves justice at the Welsh Open really and it’s time for one of us to get our name on the trophy - and obviously I hope that will be me.”

Twice world champion Williams narrowly missed out on the 12BET.com UK Championship in December, losing the final 10-9 to Higgins, having led 9-5.

And he was relieved not to lose another close final against Selby in Berlin, as he was hauled back from 7-4 to 7-7 before taking the last two frames.

“I was in my seat when Mark was about to level the match thinking, ‘am I going to let another one slip?’ but then I realised that there was little I could do about it and that relaxed me,” said the 35-year-old from Cwm.

This year’s Welsh Open boasts a brand new format, with matches to be best-of-seven frames, with no intervals, up until the last 16 stage. There are only two tables in the arena, so every match can potentially be televised by BBC Wales.

l To book your seats now call 01633 656 757 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/welsh