Mark Williams is bidding to break his own record as the oldest ranking event winner in snooker history after a 'one in a thousand' comeback victory in the English Open semi-finals. The 51-year-old was 5-1 down against Shaun Murphy in Brentwood on Saturday night before turning things around in spectacular fashion.
Breaks of 82, 69, 65 and another 69 in the decider helped the three-time world champion into Sunday's final against Ali Carter in Essex. Williams was poor in the first half of the game but came alive with some superb clearances in the second, while Murphy was good at the start but faltered badly to allow the Welshman back into the match.
Historic final within reach
Now Williams can make history again in the final by breaking his own record as the oldest player to win a ranking event, which he set at last year's Xi'an Grand Prix at 50 years old. In reaching the showpiece he becomes the oldest player to reach a ranking event final since Rex Williams (no relation) at 53 at the Grand Prix in 1986.
'I'm not sure how I managed to win,' said Williams. 'I looked at the scoreboard, saw 5-1 and thought I was out. But I just stuck in there and made a few good clearances. I got it back to 5-4 and he started to miss a few. It was a great clearance to go 5-5 and an unbelievable break to win the decider. Unbelievable break.'
Comeback details
'He missed an easy black at 5-2 when he was on 60-odd and I just thought at least if I could clear up I wasn't giving it to him. Those matches coming from 5-1 down probably only happen once in a thousand. I just had to stick in and that was the one time it turned round for me.'
Williams had already beaten Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon and Matt Selt in deciders, before downing Barry Hawkins and Welsh youngster Liam Davies to make the semis. He now meets Carter, himself in the veteran category at 47, who has beaten Jackson Page, Robbie Williams, Gong Chenzhi, Zhou Yuelong and Ding Junhui to reach the final.
Final preview
Williams said: 'Looking forward to it. I'm just happy I'm in the final. I've had three deciders in the last four games. I'm just over the moon to get through. I'll try my best and may the best man win.'
The Welsh Potting Machine is known as having one of the best temperaments in the game's history, remaining largely unfazed by any situation. Asked if he was enjoying the game at 5-1 down, he said: 'Yeah, in a sick way. I had a few chances in the first four frames and I was just butchering everything. I couldn't get position, balls were speared lovely and I was making 12 and missing or playing safe. I was just laughing to myself, thinking, oh well I normally play like this anyway. I'll probably be home to watch the Conor Benn fight. But I stuck in there and here we are in the final.'
After impressively downing Ding 6-2 in the first semi-final, Carter, who can return to the world's top 16 with victory on Sunday, said: 'To get in the top 16 at my ripe old age of 47 wouldn't be too bad would it? There is a lot to play for tomorrow, but I'm going to be in there fighting. It is brilliant to be here. It goes without saying that it is all about the winning, but it has been a good week to get to another final. I'm still competing with the best players in the world and it is a feather in my cap.'
The English Open final is played over two sessions on Sunday at 1pm and 7pm, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max. Williams is hoping to win a 28th ranking title of his epic career, while Carter is looking for a seventh.
