White upsets two-time champion Williams

Welsh cueist progresses in World Snooker Championship.

SHEFFIELD: Michael White was ecstatic after he defeated former double champion, and fellow Welshman, Mark Williams 10-6 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.

“It means everything to me,” said the 21-year-old qualifier. “I always looked up to Williams as a youngster growing up and it was a privilege to play him.”

Williams praised his compatriot and said it was heartening to see how the young cueist was coming up.

“He probably outplayed me in every department,” said Williams. “Talk about the young players coming through and he’s one of the best of them."



“People keep mentioning Jack Lisowski and people like him. He’s up with them, if not better.”

Lisowski, also 21 and who fought cancer in his teens, was bundled out on his Crucible debut as he lost 10-3 to Barry Hawkins.

Ricky Walden recorded a 10-1 win over Michael Holt, while 2005 champion Shaun Murphy made a solid start, beating Martin Gould 10-5.

Meanwhile, Graeme Dott led Peter Ebdon 8-6 and Mark King was ahead of Mark Allen 5-4.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2013.