Irish Masters: Williams sets sights on Masters title

Mark Williams is looking to kick-start his season by capturing the Citywest Irish Masters title for the first time.

Williams had not won a match in three attempts at the tournament until his 6-4 victory over fellow Welshman Matthew Stevens.

But after this re-run of last season's world final Williams is determined to stick around this year for as long as possible.

With the defence of his world crown just three weeks away the world number one is desperate to string together some impressive results to boost his own confidence and to depress his Crucible rivals.

"I've set my sights on winning here this week," said Williams, beaten twice by John Parrott and also by Jimmy White on his previous trips to the Ireland.

"Nothing else will be good enough. I have lost in so many semi-finals and finals this season that it has started to become a habit.

"I need to win here and in the Scottish Open at Aberdeen to get a lot of confidence going before the world championship."

Williams admits he has not exactly chained himself to the practice table since returning from the Thailand Masters in Bangkok.

"I've thought to myself what's the point in practising all those hours when I just put in bad performance after bad performance."