Snooker: Williams will defend world championship

Title holder Mark Williams will be making a break of a different kind tomorrow when he starts the defence of his Embassy world crown.

Girlfriend Joanne, who has been a regular travelling companion since the couple became engaged at Christmas, is unlikely to be at Sheffield to watch the world number one’s opening game against Billy Snaddon.

But Welshman Williams has dismissed suggestions that his settled private life has dampened his determination to win matches.

‘‘I know I’ve not been playing well this season, but I’ll pull myself up for the world stage,’’ he said.

‘‘The bad performances this season haven’t been because I am settled. Joanne will still come and watch me if I get to the semi-finals or the final. Everybody goes through bad patches through the year, and I hit a big patch.

‘‘I’ve found it hard to get out the other end of that patch, but hopefully I can do that in Sheffield.’’

Manager Ian Doyle agrees that his client’s fine romance could have taken the edge off the left hander’s game.

‘‘When something like this happens it does take the focus away from other things, like practising and playing snooker,’’ said Doyle.

‘‘But I think he realises that and Joanne realises it as well. I’ve not really discussed it with him because he’s a big boy and knows what he has to do.

‘‘And just lately he’s really knuckled down and I think he will have an outstanding chance at Sheffield.’’

John Higgins has already lost his bachelor boy status but his results too have been disappointing this term, with the exception of his UK Championship win.

‘‘John is a great player though maybe he hasn’t had the best season he would have wanted,’’ said Doyle. ‘‘He got married and now his wife is expecting but I’m sure he won’t let that deter him from putting in a great performance at Sheffield.

‘‘As for Ken Doherty, he got engaged as well but he settled down really quickly. I know how badly he wants to win back his world title.’’

Williams too is determined to hang onto his crown.

‘‘As defending champion, the pressure will be intense,’’ he said. ‘‘But if I can handle that pressure, and everything that goes with it, I should be ok.

‘‘I’ve been practising for seven hours a day so that should stand me in good stead to retain the title. I’ve definitely got the quality to win it, it’s whether I can produce that quality when I need it.’’