Mark Williams takes on manic schedule after last minute Hong Kong Masters call-up

Mark Williams is making a 6,000 mile dash to play in the Hong Kong Masters on Friday after a last minute call-up to play in the event.

Zhao Xintong was due to face Neil Robertson in the eight-player tournament this week, but after testing negative for Covid in the UK, the Chinese star tested positive on a PCR test after arriving in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Masters is the first World Snooker Tour event in Asia since 2019 and Covid precautions are still pretty extensive, certainly compared to the return to normality we have experienced in the UK.

Zhao was forced out of the event and Williams got the call, tested negative at home and is flying to Hong Kong on Thursday to play Robertson on Friday.

The three-time world champion has been keeping fans updated on his progress on Twitter, heading to the airport early on Thursday for a 13-hour flight.

With the time difference from the UK to Hong Kong, it is a tight turnaround for the Welshman, who says he is set to land at 10am local time before playing at 1.30pm.

<p lang=«en» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«en»>Early start, just the pcr at airport then 13 hour flight straight to the venue for the match to go ððððð#eyeskikeoissholesinthexsnow pic.twitter.com/wbtgYxOqDD

Williams will still have to test negative for Covid again before playing, then try and take down Robertson who has been in Hong Kong for days and should be considerably better prepared for their contest.

The late invite was not one to turn down for Williams, though, with prize money of £22,500 even for losing quarter-finalists. If he can pull off some wins against the odds then it is £35,000 for losing semi-finalists, £45,000 for the runner-up and the champion pockets £100,000.

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