Solid start for new dad Williams

Mark Williams made an ideal start to the defence of his Embassy World Championship title in Sheffield this morning.

The world number one was in action against fellow Welshman Dominic Dale less than 24 hours after partner Jo Dent gave birth to the couple’s first child.

The delivery of a 6lbs 9ozs boy Connor removed any doubt Williams might not be at the Crucible to defend his crown.

It was no surprise when the 29-year-old left hander lost the first frame to his Neath-based rival. Indeed, Dale had won their previous meeting at the Welsh Open in Cardiff back in January.

It was cagey opening though with Dale’s run of 30 giving him a 1-0 lead after 30 minutes play on the opening day of the 17 day marathon.

But it was to be his last success as Williams shrugged off any tiredness from the emotion of the previous day.

He levelled with a break of 105 – the first century of the championship – as Dale failed to score a point.

The underdog managed to pot just one ball in the third frame as Williams hit the front with a reply of 69.

Qualifier Dale built up a 43-point lead in frame four only to miss a red on a break of 33. Williams hit back with 68 for a 3-1 mid session advantage.

Williams is attempting to become the first player since stablemate and second seed Stephen Hendry in 1996 to defend the title.

He was looking to build up a sizeable lead to take into tonight’s final session of 10 frames.

In contrast it was slow going on the other table in the all-Scottish clash between Glaswegian Alan McManus and Chris Small of Edinburgh.

That was no surprise between two of the most methodical players on the circuit. McManus, a semi-finalist in 1992 and 1993, eventually clinched a 40-minute opener before doubling his advantage as Williams and Dale were reaching their interval.