Mark Williams booked his place in the 2024 Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions semi-finals with a thrilling 6-5 victory over reigning World Champion Kyren Wilson on Tuesday evening at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton.
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Williams first took on Women’s World Champion Bai Yulu, who made her Champion of Champions debut on day two. The Welsh Potting Machine claimed the opening frame, but Bai capitalised on a missed red by Williams to level the score. Despite a commendable debut by Bai, Williams asserted control and won the next three frames, securing a 4-1 victory and advancing to the Group Two final.
The World Champion Kyren Wilson faced former World Champion Luca Brecel to secure his spot in the Group Two final showdown. Brecel took the first frame after Wilson missed a crucial black, but the Warrior roared back with a commanding 132 total clearance in the third frame to regain the lead. Wilson maintained his form with breaks of 79 and 115, ultimately defeating Brecel to set up a final showdown against Williams.
In the group final, Wilson claimed the opening frame, but Williams quickly levelled with an impressive 122 break. A tense safety battle followed, with Williams eventually conceding the third frame after missing a yellow. The back-and-forth continued as Williams fought back in the fourth, forcing Wilson to concede, bringing the score to 2-2.
The fifth frame saw another nail-biting exchange, with Williams initially making an error by clipping the cue ball into the middle pocket. However, a failed safety attempt by Wilson opened the door for Williams, who capitalised to take the lead for the first time in the match.
Wilson closed the gap again in the sixth, but Williams responded with a stunning 141 break in the seventh to edge ahead. Though Wilson tried to level, a missed pink allowed Williams to extend his lead. The Warrior mounted a comeback, levelling the match with a swift 123 break in the ninth and clinching the tenth frame.
However, it was Williams who ultimately held his nerve, claiming the decisive frame to secure not only his first semi-final appearance in the Champion of Champions tournament, but also his first major victory over Kyren Wilson.
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