Riga Masters 2018: World champion Mark Williams OUT of snooker season opener
MARK WILLIAMS has been knocked out of the Riga Masters in the second round.
The Welshman suffered a 4-3 defeat to China’s Zhang Yong yesterday despite being one of the favourites to lift the Latvian title.
In what turned out to be an entertaining affair, Zhang recorded breaks of 75, 120 and 60 to reach the last 16 of snooker’s season opener.
It is Williams’ first ranking event defeat since a 6-2 loss to Mark Selby in the quarter-finals of the China Open.
Zhang then met Jack Lisowski in the last 16 but the Englishman emerged victorious with a 4-1 win.
Williams, though, ended last season on a high by winning his third World Championship crown.
And earlier this month the 43-year-old said his emphatic Crucible victory was all about doing his family proud.
“When I watch it back and look at some of the clips people post on Twitter, you just see my boys on the balcony cheering away,” Williams said.
“They had never seen me win a tournament before. It was the best win I have ever had just because they were there.
World Snooker: Mark Williams STRIPS OFF after winning title
“When I go back to defend it next year I am going to make sure they all come and see me introduced as the World Champion.
“If I lose in the first round it doesn’t matter. I just want them there with my wife to experience it.
“They have seen me win it, but it is just as good to be announced as the defending champion.”