GWENT’S Mark Williams says he’s started to enjoy playing snooker again now that he’s finally accepted his glory days are behind him.

The Cwm star won the World Championship in both 2000 and 2003 and is widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation, but his last ranking event title came at the 2011 German Masters.

Williams started his BetVictor Welsh Open campaign with a 4-0 victory over China’s Lyu Haotian at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena this morning and will take on Barry Pinches in his second round match tonight.

The 39-year-old was also successful in qualifying for the Indian and China Opens in Barnsley over the weekend but he is not putting the same pressure on himself these days.

“I’m happy with the win because, even though a lot of people won’t know the young boy I played, he beat Dominic Dale in the qualifiers for India and he nearly beat Neil Robertson on Saturday,” said Williams.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game and I’m over the moon with 4-0.

“I hit three or four decent breaks and didn’t really miss anything easy so I’m happy.

“I think I’ve just accepted the fact that I’m not going to be as good as I once was and I could miss any shot on the table,” he added.

“For the last six to 12 months I’ve accepted that and when I do miss them I’m not beating myself up about it.

“With age that’s what is supposed to happen. I’m just enjoying playing now.

“Fingers crossed I can keep winning and have a good run.”

Williams is also happy that the tournament has moved from Newport to Cardiff this year.

“I was lucky enough to win the tournament here and we’ve always had good crowds in Cardiff,” he said.

“Walking out even at 10.30am there were loads of people in.

“And I think Friday, Saturday and Sunday are sold out with 1,600 people so it’s great for the tournament.

“I enjoyed playing in Newport but the set-up here is great and if the crowds are good all week this venue will probably be the best we play in all season.”

Blackwood’s Andrew Pagett was beaten 4-2 by Rory McLeod, while Carmarthen’s Matthew Stevens came back from 3-1 down to edge past Oliver Lines 4-3.

Jamie Jones of Neath beat Christopher Norbury 4-0 but fellow Welshman Dominic Dale was beaten 4-3 by Michael Wasley.