LLANDUDNO, Wales — The 2024 Welsh Open delivered a seismic shock on Thursday as home favourite and two-time champion Mark Williams crashed out in the last 16, while fellow veterans John Higgins and Neil Robertson navigated tricky ties to book their places in the quarter-finals.
Williams, the world number eight and 1999 & 2023 champion, saw his hopes of a triumphant title defence on home soil evaporate in a tense 4-2 defeat to Scotland's Anthony McGill at Venue Cymru. The Welshman, who had looked imperious in earlier rounds, was left to rue a series of uncharacteristic errors as McGill capitalised to secure a famous victory.
Williams' Hopes Dashed by Determined McGill
The match was a cagey, tactical affair from the outset. Williams took a scrappy opening frame, but McGill responded with breaks of 52 and 73 to seize a 2-1 lead. The 'Welsh Potting Machine' restored parity with a run of 65, but from there, the initiative swung decisively towards the Scot. A crucial fifth frame saw Williams miss a pivotal pink, allowing McGill to edge ahead 3-2 before he sealed the match with a composed 65 break in the sixth.
A visibly disappointed Williams was gracious in defeat, acknowledging McGill's superior performance on the day. "Anthony played better than me, simple as that," he stated. "I had my chances but didn't take them. It's always special playing here, and I'm gutted I couldn't go further for the fans."
For McGill, the win represents a significant boost in his quest to climb back up the rankings. "To beat Mark in Wales is one of the toughest tasks in snooker, so I'm over the moon," he said. "I stayed patient and took my chances when they came. It's a big result for me."
Higgins & Robertson Show Their Class
While Williams fell, two other giants of the baize demonstrated their enduring quality. Four-time world champion John Higgins produced a masterclass of break-building to dispatch China's Yuan Sijun 4-1. The 'Wizard of Wishaw' compiled runs of 135, 100, and 90 in a relentless display of scoring power.
Higgins, who won this title in 2000 and 2015, highlighted the importance of his fast start. "Getting that century in the first frame settled me right down," he explained. "When you're scoring heavily like that, it puts your opponent under immense pressure from the off. I felt good out there."
Meanwhile, Australia's Neil Robertson survived a stern test against England's Elliot Slessor, eventually prevailing 4-2. The 2010 world champion, seeking his first ranking title since the 2022 Tour Championship, showcased his trademark heavy scoring with breaks of 78, 100, and 71, but was pushed hard by a resilient opponent.
"Elliot made it really difficult, he's a fierce competitor," Robertson admitted. "I had to dig deep and rely on my experience in the key moments. I'm thrilled to be through to another quarter-final; this tournament has a fantastic atmosphere."
Quarter-Final Line-Up Takes Shape
With the last 16 concluded, a compelling quarter-final draw has been set. The standout ties promise high drama and quality, featuring a mix of seasoned champions and in-form challengers. The confirmed matches are:
- John Higgins vs. Gary Wilson: A clash of styles between Higgins' tactical genius and Wilson's fluent break-building.
- Neil Robertson vs. Martin O'Donnell: Robertson will be favourite, but O'Donnell has already shown his giant-killing credentials this week.
- Anthony McGill vs. Tom Ford: McGill will look to ride his wave of momentum against the consistently dangerous Ford.
- Stuart Bingham vs. Dominic Dale: An intriguing match featuring the 2015 world champion against the veteran Welshman, who enjoys fervent local support.
The story of the round, however, was the departure of Mark Williams. His exit continues a trend of early losses for the sport's top stars in this year's event, following the earlier defeats of world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan and defending UK Champion Ding Junhui. This has blown the tournament wide open, offering a golden opportunity for the remaining contenders.
What This Means for the Season
The results in Llandudno have significant implications for the season's narrative and the upcoming World Championship. For Higgins and Robertson, a deep run here is a vital statement of intent as they look to build form for the Crucible. Higgins, in particular, seems to be rediscovering his peak scoring touch at just the right time.
For Williams, the focus will swiftly shift to regrouping for the final events before Sheffield. His performance this week, despite the last-16 exit, contained enough quality to suggest he remains a major threat. The Welsh Open, however, serves as a reminder of the incredible depth on the World Snooker Tour, where any player in the top 50 is capable of beating the very best on their day.
As the tournament moves into its final three days, the absence of the home hero is a bitter blow for the local crowds. Yet, with the quarter-finals boasting four former world champions and a host of players hungry for a maiden ranking title, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion. The battle for the Ray Reardon Trophy is now truly anyone's to win.
