Mark Williams after one-handed miracle pot and flair shots - 'I hardly ever miss' - Masters snooker 2022

Updated 10/01/2022 at 10:53 GMT

"I should really be playing them a lot more in matches, but perhaps I will start." Mark Williams says he will continue to play his entertaining brand of snooker after his Masters first round win over defending champion Yan Bingtao. Stream the Masters and other top snooker live and on-demand on discovery+.

'I just carried on doing what I was doing' - Williams reacts to comeback win over Yan

Mark Williams has promised to try more of his trademark ‘under-arm’ shots as his Masters journey continues following a 6-4 win over Yan Bingtao.

Williams fought back from 3-1 down, winning four frames in a row, to steal a march on the defending champion before closing out the match in the tenth frame.

On his way to victory, the reigning British Open champion wowed the crowd at Alexandra Palace with some inventive shots and outstanding potting, and says he will continue to entertain going forward.

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And one, one-handed escape from a snooker that saw the pink nestle in the yellow pocket drew gasps from the audience, as Dave Hendon on commentary said:

You’re kidding me, one-handed. Wow! What a finish to the frame that is!

'You're kidding me!' - Williams produces fantastic one-handed escape

“I felt I was a little bit unlucky to be 3-1 down to be honest,” he told Eurosport afterwards. “A couple of flicks here and there and it could have easily been two each.

“I just carried on doing what I was doing really, the under-arm shots I play all the time in practice and hardly ever miss.

I should really be playing them a lot more in matches, but perhaps I will start.

Williams also acknowledged things went his way during the match but says he was happy to take advantage of any good fortune because it could just as easily swing that other way in snooker.

“I had a cracking fluke in the last frame but you know only a month ago I was in the UK [Championship] at 5-5 against Anthony [Hamilton] had a horrendous fluke and he cleared up and won the match so this time it was my turn.

“You’ve just got to make the most of them flukes when they come along you know.”

John Higgins or Zhao Xintong await in round two.