Mark Williams has just defeated Xiao Guodong in the final of the 2024 Champion of Champions after an intense contest. The Welshman had a five-frame lead and was up 5-0 in the sixth, but Xiao launched an incredible comeback, closing the afternoon session at 5-4. However, it was Williams who came out on top at the end, securing a 10-6 victory and claiming the title for the first time in his career.
Entering the tournament, Kyren Wilson had the highest odds on the top crypto betting sites. These platforms allow you to place sports bets in a cryptocurrency of your choice.
Despite the initial high odds, Wilson was defeated by Williams in the group finals. Commenting on his win over the world champion, Williams said that he was happy to beat one of the best players in the game. “I’ve got him on my mantelpiece now!” he added.
Williams then proceeded to defeat Australian Neil Robertson in the semi-finals before ultimately facing Xiao Guodong in the final match on Sunday night. The three-time world champion won 10-6, claiming the £150,000 top prize and proving he’s one of the best players in the game despite turning 50 in March.
He raced into a 5-0 lead at the start of the match before Xiao started coming back. Williams said that he didn’t really do much wrong in this period but was simply outplayed by Xiao for four frames.
He also said later that it was the interval that came to his rescue as he wrestled back in the evening session. Williams said that if Xiao carried on that way, he was probably going to run away with the title.
In that part of the match, Williams’ breaks of 104, 62, 80, 95, and 67 helped him claim a 10-6 victory and earn his first Champion of Champions title.
Upon winning, Williams was almost at a loss for words. Williams commented, “I’m stood here just about to pick that trophy up and I don’t know how I’m doing it really, but I’m sticking in there.”
The Welsh legend’s career continues 32 years after going professional. He now sits at no. 6 in the world rankings and holds two huge titles — Champion of Champions and Tour Championship.
So far, his season has been somewhat of a rollercoaster after reaching the finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters in September. He struggled in the next few tournaments as he was adjusting to a new cue. Now, he’s proven that he got comfortable with his new piece of wood and is glad to prove critics wrong.
Williams said he knew adjusting to a new cue wasn’t going to be easy and that he was going to lose a few first-rounders. “I’ve been getting slated by a lot of people for changing cues,” he said but added that he now sees the new cue as the best thing he’s ever had in his hands.
Seven-time world champion and a close friend of Williams, Stephen Hendry called him his hero. He said that “what he’s doing at almost 50, how he’s playing and the way he plays with not a care in the world” is incredible.
Other legends of the game have also congratulated Williams on his achievement with Alan McManus calling him “amazing” for picking up title after title.
Xiao Guodong is also enjoying an incredible season, winning the 2024 Wuhan Open and now reaching the Champion of Champions final on his debut. Commenting on the game, he said that it was a pleasure to face a legend of the game and called for him, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and John Higgins to continue playing for another 20 years.
Williams stated that he has no plans to retire and that he’ll keep going until he falls off the tour, whenever that happens. He said that he’s enjoying the game and that winning obviously feels good. “If I lose I don’t really worry about it, just try your best, it’s all you can do,” he added.
Williams, O’Sullivan, and Higgins are set to rewrite snooker world ranking history as they continue to retain their places among the best in the sport at the age of 50. The famous “Class of ‘92” legends have won a total of 14 world titles between 1998 and 2022.
