WELSH CONTINGENT IS LEADED BY HIM.

WELSH CONTINGENT IS LEADED BY HIM.

The second round of the BetVictor Shoot Out in Swansea will feature 11 Welsh players, including three-time Crucible champion Mark Williams, who defeated Matthew Selt in the first round.

Schedule for the second round of matches

South Wales is a hotbed for young snooker talent, and Williams has mentored several of the region’s best up-and-coming potters. He’ll look to set an example in the last 64 on Friday, when he takes on Hammad Miah.

British Open champion Williams defeated Selt with breaks of 35 and 33. “I’m quite happy playing at 15 seconds or even ten seconds a shot,” said Williams, 48, who finished second to Hossein Vafaei in this event last year and has reached two other semi-finals. “You see players rushing around the table, but you don’t have to. Simply roll the balls in and walk away. I’m not surprised I’ve never won because it takes so much luck.

“Welsh snooker is very good right now.” This event serves as a springboard for the young Welsh lads to play on the TV table and soak in the atmosphere. They will only benefit from it, which is fantastic. By far the best of them is Jackson Page.”

Williams was particularly impressed by Shaun Murphy’s 147 earlier today, the Shoot Out’s first maximum.

“I started watching it when he was on about 40 but I’d always thought that a 147 in this event was impossible,” he said. “With all the noise from the crowd, it was an unbelievable break in this format.” Given that he only had ten seconds, the third last red was one of the best shots you’ll ever see. It has to rank among the greatest snooker achievements of all time.”

Victor Sarkis, Brazil’s top player, has only won two matches on the pro tour since the start of last season, both in the Shoot Out. He defeated John Astley by a score of 37-3 tonight. “I love it out there, and it’s a lot of fun,” Sarkis said. “I’m working with Hossein Vafaei and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh at the Darlington Academy, and I’ve improved so much as a player in the last 14 months.” “I’m hoping to stay in the United Kingdom after this season and continue on this journey.”

Noppon Saengkham overcame Ahmed Aly Elsayed with a break of 50 after trailing 32-0, while Jordan Brown defeated Gary Wilson, who will defend his BetVictor Scottish Open title next week.

In the closing stages of his match against BetVictor Welsh Open champion Robert Milkins, Tour rookie Liam Graham suffered a cruel slice of misfortune. Graham made a break of 32 from 33-1 down, but as he potted the brown, he cannoned a red into the opposite baulk corner. Milkins was able to snare victory as a result of this.

The action resumes at 1 p.m. on Friday.