'I knew I couldn't win' – Mark Williams on why frantic dash to Hong Kong Masters snooker was all about the cash

07.10.2022 - 14:17 eurosport.com

Mark Williams admits his frantic last-minute scramble to compete at the elite eight-player Hong Kong Masters event on Friday was doomed to failure.

The three-time world champion made the 13-hour flight from London on Thursday to face Neil Robertson with UK holder Zhao Xintong forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.

Ad Despite opening with a 133 break against Masters champion Robertson at the 12,500-capacity Hong Kong Coliseum, Williams came up short as the Australian icon showed his class to emerge a 5-3 winner from a taut quarter-final encounter.

Hong Kong MastersRobertson downs Williams to reach semi-finals, could face O'Sullivan2 HOURS AGO Robertson contributed 105 and 140 to secure a possible semi-final with world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan on Saturday as Williams rolled in 55 and 80 before an energised crowd. «I knew I couldn't win today,» said world No.

win Dash on Neil Robertson Mark Williams Ronnie Osullivan Judd Trump John Higgins Zhao Xintong Britain Australia London Hong Kong county Williams Hong Kong

Mark Williams has expanded on his whirlwind trip to Asia for the Hong Kong Masters, saying he was in the city for 11 hours. The Hong Kong Masters was the return of international snooker in Asia following the Covid-19 pandemic, but the schedule was thrown into turmoil when Zhao Xintong was forced to withdraw due to a positive coronavirus test. Ad Williams was summoned from South Wales, and revealed he was blissfully unaware of the situation until receiving a phone call the day before the event was due to take place.

Opinion: Why Hong Kong Masters was very special showcase for Ronnie O'Sullivan and snooker's brightest stars

It would be nice to think that Ray Reardon, on his 90th birthday, switched on Eurosport on Saturday morning to see Marco Fu’s 147 break in the deciding frame of his victory over John Higgins in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Masters. Reardon could not turn professional until he was 35 because snooker was yet to attract the attention of television and there was no money in it. That all changed in 1969 when the BBC launched Pot Black to showcase its new colour service.

Hong Kong Masters 2022 snooker final LIVE – Ronnie O’Sullivan faces Marco Fu for the title

Stay tuned for live text commentary from 11:45 BST Ecstatic Fu basks in 'impossible' 147 Ad Marco Fu admitted his 147 maximum break at the Hong Kong Masters should have been “impossible” after spending so long in the snooker wilderness. Hong Kong Masters‘Dangerous!’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan drops impressive double14 HOURS AGO The 44-year-old produced a perfect clearance to stun John Higgins in a final-frame decider in their semi-final, setting up a showdown with Ronnie O’Sullivan on Sunday. “I would say this is probably my best moment so far as a professional,” he said.

Ronnie O’Sullivan says he was 'getting outplayed' before Hong Kong Masters comeback win over Neil Robertson

Ronnie O’Sullivan staged a remarkable comeback to beat Australian Neil Robertson at the Hong Kong Masters 6-4. Robertson was flying against O'Sullivan, surging into a seemingly impregnable lead, before O'Sullivan roared back into contention. Ad O'Sullivan admitted afterwards that he was all but finished when Robertson was at his best.

Ronnie O’Sullivan produces stunning comeback to beat Neil Robertson at Hong Kong Masters in high quality mach

Ronnie O’Sullivan produced a sensational comeback to beat Neil Robertson 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Masters. O’Sullivan was 4-1 down and was set for a heavy defeat, before he won five frames in a row to reach the final on Sunday. Ad He will play home star Marco Fu after he won a thrilling match against John Higgins with a 147 in the deciding frame earlier on Saturday.

Hong Kong Masters snooker 2022 LIVE – Ronnie O'Sullivan faces Neil Robertson in semi-final after epic Marco Fu 147

O'Sullivan 0-0 Robertson (91-0) Ad A dominant break of 72 from O'Sullivan in the opening frame. Neil has seen enough. 1-0 to Ronnie in the race to six frames.