Hunter happy as he beats bogeyman

Paul Hunter admits Mark Williams is his bogey player – but the laid-back Leeds star usually reserves his best form for the world champion at the Masters.

Yorkshireman Hunter denied Williams the 2002 Wembley title and tonight he ended the defending champion’s reign at the quarter-final stage.

In a rollercoaster clash at the Conference Centre, he led 3-1, trailed 5-4 but then claimed the final two frames for a semi-final against John Higgins or Stephen Lee.

The drama went all the way to the end.

Williams, whose form has dipped since he lifted the LG Cup last October, looked to have lost his chance as Hunter knocked in a 63 break to lead 63-16.

However, the world number eight missed a red into the green pocket and Williams sensed a reprieve, reaching 22 and needing to pot the colours to steal the match by two points.

In his opening game Williams defeated fellow countryman in a deciding frame.

This time though he missed the final yellow and conceded a couple of minutes later as Hunter sank yellow and green.

Hunter, chasing his third Masters title in four years, said: “Every snooker player has their own bogeyman and Mark is mine – but not today.

“I know I can do it against him and knowing he was favourite took some of the pressure off.”

Hunter’s win was only his third in 13 meetings against the world number one.

He continued: “I really thought Mark was going to clear up at the end – so, when he missed the yellow I was out of my seat like a shot.

“But I was shaking like a leaf,” admitted the 25-year-old.

“However, that’s when I play my best snooker. With a one-frame shoot-out it’s anyone’s match.”

Hunter is now 3-1 second favourite behind Ronnie O’Sullivan to pocket the first prize on Sunday night.

“He’s got a better chance than me,” admitted Williams, who has now lost two of the three major titles he won during his all-conquering run last season.

“I’ve certainly played a hell of a lot worse than that in the past and won matches.

“And I could have won 6-4 but I got an almighty bounce off the top cushion in the 10th frame.”

The unexpected roll of the cue ball meant Williams was forced to take on a more difficult red. And while he succeeded with the pot he later had to relinquish his turn at the table.

“I’m not going to comment on the table – I’ll let other players do that,” he said.

However, the game’s governing body had bowed to player pressure and recovered the green baize overnight.

Jimmy White had been particularly scathing of conditions saying it was “impossible” to play top-class snooker.

Hunter hit back in the penultimate frame with an excellent 65 clearance to force the decider and then made what proved to be a decisive 63 in frame 11.

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing and only that one bounce off the cushion cost me the match,” added Williams.