Mark Williams falls at first Crucible hurdle to 21-year-old sensation

Mark Williams has been beaten in the opening round in Sheffield (Picture: Getty Images)

Si Jiahui has found winning ways at the Crucible again after shining on debut 12 months ago, beating Mark Williams in the opening round of this year’s World Championship.

The 21-year-old beat the three-time world champion 10-9 on Tuesday afternoon, setting up a second round clash with Jak Jones in Sheffield.

Williams made a blistering start to the match with a break of 142 in the opening frame, but the game did not live up to that standard from there on in, although it did come to a dramatic climax.

That huge opening effort from Williams was the only century of the contest, with Si surprisingly winning the match with a high break of just 77, which he made in the last frame of the match.

The Welshman finished the opening session 5-4 ahead but Si made a brilliant start to Tuesday afternoon’s session, winning the first four frames.

The 49-year-old dug in, but at 9-7 behind things looked bleak for his chances. Williams has many times proved himself to be insusceptible to pressure, though, and he did so again to take it to a decider before Si stepped up with his half-century in the last.

‘I didn’t play very well all the way through the match, but the best I was playing was towards the end,’ said Williams. ‘I made a good break to go 9-9. But that was one of the best breaks you’ll see in a decider, especially when you’re under pressure.

‘If he can do those kind of breaks more frequently, future world champion, no question.’

Si Jiahui is developing a sensational Crucible record (Picture: Getty Images)

The Chinese youngster burst onto the scene last year as he came through qualifying and then beat Shaun Murphy, Rob Milkins and Anthony McGill to reach the semi-finals.

There he built a 14-5 lead over Luca Brecel, eventually losing 17-15, but still producing a debut Crucible campaign to remember.

Williams arrived at the tournament in fine form thanks to winning the Tour Championship earlier this month in style, beating Judd Trump, Mark Allen and then Ronnie O’Sullivan on his way to the title.

That success in Manchester saw his odds to win a fourth World Championship tumble, but his hopes were dashed in his opening match.

The veteran is the sixth seed to be beaten in the opening round so far, with Si taking on another successful qualifier in Jones, who beat Zhang Anda in his first round match.

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