Mark Williams Beaten by Si Jiahui at Crucible: Six Seeds Fall in First Round

In a stunning upset at the Crucible, three-time world champion Mark Williams was defeated 10-9 by 2023 semi-finalist Si Jiahui in the first round of the World Snooker Championship. The Welshman, who led 5-4 after the opening session, found himself trailing 8-5 as his Chinese opponent mounted a comeback with four consecutive frames.

Despite Williams’ efforts to force a decider after being down 9-7, it was Si who held his nerve and secured victory with a nerveless break of 77 in the final frame. This loss marks the sixth seed to be eliminated in the first round, joining other top players like defending champion Luca Brecel and four-time winner Mark Selby.

Williams, at 49 years old, was aiming to become the oldest champion in the tournament’s history, a record currently held by Ronnie O’Sullivan. The defeat raises questions about Williams’ future in the sport, with the veteran player contemplating his return to The Crucible next year.

Si’s victory comes after a heartbreaking loss in last year’s semi-final, where he squandered a commanding lead against Brecel. The young player’s win over Williams, who recently claimed the Tour Championship title, showcases his potential in the world of snooker.

As the tournament progresses, other matches saw 2020 finalist Kyren Wilson dominating against Dominic Dale, while Jack Lisowski and Mark Allen also took leads in their respective games. All eyes are now on Ronnie O’Sullivan as he begins his quest for an eighth world title against Jackson Page on Wednesday afternoon. The excitement continues to build at the Crucible as the competition heats up.