WALES’ Mark Williams admitted he used his ‘get out of jail free card’ to sneak past Andy Hicks in Newport yesterday.

The Cwm ace fought back from 3-2 down to win 4-3 in the first round of the 888 Zhenren Welsh Open.

Williams was disappointed with his display against world number 61 Hicks and he doesn’t hold out much hope of a first Welsh Open triumph since 1999.

“It was a bit frustrating really, the way I played for most of the game,” said the world number two, who sealed victory with breaks of 70 and 58.

“It was only the last two frames where I managed to make two excellent breaks. I don’t know where they came from because it was a bit of a struggle out there.

“I wasn’t really punished. I think he’ll be very disappointed he didn’t beat me. He should have won.”

Williams knows he will have to improve quickly as he faces either Marco Fu or Ronnie O’Sullivan in the last 16 tomorrow afternoon.

“It’ll more than likely be Ronnie and I hope it is because the occasion will be big, with a big crowd and a great atmosphere,” added the double world champion.

“That’s the kind of game I like playing in but I’ll have to play better because I couldn’t beat Gilbert O’Sullivan in that form.

“I’ve used my get out of jail free card and I’ve got a free go now on Thursday.

“Hopefully things will improve because if I play like that again I’ll go straight to jail.”

O’Sullivan takes on world number 29 Fu at 1pm this afternoon safe in the knowledge that he will not have to qualify for the World Championships in Sheffield.

The three-time champion had been in danger of needing a play-off to reach the Crucible but Ding Junhai’s victory over O’Sullivan’s top-16 rival Mark Davis at the Newport Centre on Monday meant he was safe.

The Rocket, who was banned from driving for two months last week after he was clocked at 100 mph in a 30 mph zone, will be hoping for a speedy victory over Hong Kong star Fu before setting his sights on home favourite Williams.

Also yesterday, Stephen Lee beat Michael Holt 4-1 and veteran Stephen Hendry caused a shock by beating 2010 world champion Neil Robertson 4-1.

Carmarthen’s Matthew Stevens gets his tournament under way this afternoon when he takes on Barry Hawkins.