The second round of the BetVictor Shoot Out in Swansea will feature 11 Welsh players, with three-time Crucible king Mark Williams among the favourites for the title having beaten Matthew Selt in the opening round.
South Wales is a hot-bed for young snooker talent and Williams himself has mentored several of the best up-and-coming potters from the region. He’ll hope to lead by example in the last 64 on Friday and faces Hammad Miah next.
Breaks of 35 and 33 helped British Open champion Williams get the better of Selt. “I’m quite happy playing at 15 seconds or even ten seconds a shot,” said 48-year-old Williams, who was runner-up to Hossein Vafaei in this event last year and has reached two other semi-finals. “You see players rush around the table but you don’t need to do that. Just roll the balls in and walk casually. I’m not surprised I have never won this because you just need so much luck.
“Welsh snooker is very good at the moment. For the young Welsh lads this event is a springboard for them to play on the TV table and experience the atmosphere. They will only learn from it which is excellent. Jackson Page is the best of them by a mile.”
Williams was particularly impressed with Shaun Murphy’s 147 earlier today, the first maximum in the Shoot Out.
“I started watching it when he was on about 40 but I’d always thought that a 147 in this event was impossible,” added Williams. “It was an unbelievable break in this format with all the noise from the crowd. The third last red was one of the best shots you’ll ever see, given that he only had ten seconds. It’s got to be up there with the best ever achievements in snooker.”
Brazil’s top player Victor Sarkis has won only two matches on the pro tour since the start of last season, and both have come in the Shoot Out. He knocked out John Astley tonight by a 37-3 scoreline. “I love it out there and it’s a lot of fun,” said Sarkis. “I am practising with Hossein Vafaei and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh at the academy in Darlington and I have improved so much as a player over the last 14 months. I’m hoping to stay in the UK after this season and to keep on this journey.”
Noppon Saengkham came from 32-0 down to beat Ahmed Aly Elsayed with a break of 50 while Jordan Brown got the better of Gary Wilson, who defends his BetVictor Scottish Open title next week.
Tour rookie Liam Graham suffered a cruel slice of misfortune in the closing stages of his match against BetVictor Welsh Open champion Robert Milkins. From 33-1 down, Graham made a break of 32, but then as he potted the brown he cannoned a red into the opposite baulk corner. That allowed Milkins to snatch victory.
The action continues at 1pm on Friday.
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