Wales Down But Not Out?
Mark Williams – world number 12
It’s nearly four years since Williams won a ranking tournament. Considering that was the LG Cup, the fourth leg of the BBC Grand-Slam, it is hard to believe that the 32 year-old has lifted his last trophy. Williams is a player of habit. When he wins, he keeps winning and when he loses, well you get the picture. A new cue and a dedicated approach to practise could be the key to breaking the downward spiral that has taken him out of the top 32 on the provisional rankings. Surely the old adage “Form is temporary, class is permanent” applies here, and sooner rather than later, Williams’ class will tell!
Matthew Stevens – world number 20
Despite spending eight years in the top-16, Stevens has never really fulfilled his potential. One UK Championship and one Masters is less than the welsh talent promised in the early days. He could have added to that with a couple of world championships if Williams and Murphy hadn’t found their best in the final session. He will be qualifying for the first time since 1998, and we are sure that will be the motivation to get the results needed to take his place among the game’s best.
