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Mark Williams shook off the problem of David Gilbert – and the attentions of a persistent wasp – to win his Masters first-round match 6-2 at Alexandra Palace.
The world No 7 started in ominous vogue, hitting back-to-back century breaks to begin the match and including an additional run of 95 to guide 4-0 on the interval. Gilbert, handed a wild-card place after the suspension of Yan Bingtao, rallied on the resumption by successful the subsequent two frames in succession.
Gilbert regarded on the right track to chop the hole to 4-3 however missed a few golden possibilities within the subsequent, permitting Williams to reassert management at 5-2. Once more Gilbert rallied, taking a 63-point lead within the subsequent body with Williams chipping away on the deficit earlier than the insect interloper sparked havoc.
The referee, Marcel Eckardt, briefly suspended the body as each he and a flailing Williams tried in useless to take away it from the enjoying enviornment. The wasp briefly landed on a digital camera operator earlier than flying again into the rafters, and Williams regrouped to clear the desk, successful the body after Gilbert had missed the yellow.
“I assumed it was gonna sting my nuts at one stage!” joked Williams afterwards. It’s not the primary time the so-called ‘Ally Pally Wasp’ has triggered disruption – the bugs made an look at December’s world darts championships, whereas snooker referee Ben Williams was stung by a wasp on the 2020 Masters.
Williams’ victory units up a quarter-final along with his fellow former champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan. “There’ll be two and a half thousand folks right here, about three of them wanting me to win!” the Welshman added. “However I’m enjoying nicely, and I’m not a pushover for anybody. It’s unbelievable how I’m nonetheless on the high of the sport, and I’m having fun with each minute of it.”
Within the afternoon match, Barry Hawkins whitewashed Mark Allen 6-0 to proceed the previous winner’s depressing current run within the occasion.
Allen has not gained a Masters match since lifting the title in 2018 and managed a excessive break of simply 45 towards fellow left-hander Hawkins, runner-up to Neil Robertson 12 months in the past, who will face both Judd Trump or Ryan Day within the quarter-finals.
Hawkins, the world No 13, recovered from a 55-0 deficit within the opening body to win it on the colors, with breaks of 76 and 114 then extending his benefit. Allen edged forward in a scrappy fourth body solely to overcut the brown, Hawkins clearing as much as lead 4-0 on the mid-session interval.
Allen recovered from 6-1 right down to beat Ding Junhui 10-7 in November’s UK Championship last in November, however there was no method again for “The Pistol” right here. Hawkins resumed with breaks of 45 and 41 to guide 5-0 earlier than shortly wrapping up victory and telling the BBC: “The end result flattered me a little bit bit.”
“I saved Mark underneath strain and I didn’t do this a lot incorrect – only a few simple unforced errors – and I feel that’s made the distinction in the long run,” Hawkins added, placing his sturdy show right down to loads of apply over Christmas. “I knew this match was developing, and this isn’t a spot you wish to be underprepared.”
Allen was fast to offer credit score to Hawkins, telling Eurosport: “I in all probability ought to have gained the primary body and had a few possibilities in body 4, apart from that, I assumed he was phenomenal.
“I stated to him on the finish, it’s in all probability among the finest security performances I’ve ever performed towards as a professional. Granted I missed a couple of balls as nicely, however you simply must credit score Barry, he simply froze me out. It was an outstanding efficiency.”
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