Mark Williams cruises through to third round of UK Championship in York

By Sporting Life

08:53 · SUN December 02, 2018

Mark Williams showed glimpses of his World Championship-winning form to thrash Daniel Wells and reach the third round of snooker's UK Championship.

The Welshman has been keen to stress that he remains in party mode following his sensational victory over John Higgins at the Crucible last season, but two centuries in a 6-0 win on Saturday suggest he's getting back down to business.

Wells scored a half-century break in the third frame but losing that was a serious blow after Williams had taken the second with a 116 break.

Williams edged a tight third before a 124 clearance saw him move 5-0 in front, and in no time at all he'd wrapped up victory.

Jack Lisowski also made it through with a comfortable 6-1 win over Mei Xi Wen, breaks of 100 in frame one and 112 in frame three setting the tone for a convincing success.

Things weren't so straightforward for Neil Robertson, who found himself 3-0 down to Thepchaiyah Un-Nooh before winning the next six frames to win with something to spare.

The Australian really found his game having trailed early, registering breaks of 84, 117, 137, 68, 101 and 78.

Neil Robertson in action at the UK Championship

Saturday afternoon's biggest upset came in the all-Scottish clash where Alan McManus beat Higgins 6-5.

Higgins hasn't been at his best this season and failed to register a single half-century break, but still ought to have advanced having moved into a 5-3 lead after winning four frames in a row.

McManus kept his hopes alive though and having forced a decider, took his chance with a match-winning 85 break.

Elsewhere on the opening day of second round matches, Stephen Maguire joined those going through by seeing off Scott Donaldson 6-4.

Three Chinese players made sure of progress in the afternoon. Xiao Guodong beat Ben Woollaston, compiling seven 50+ breaks in the 6-3 success, Zhou Yuelong ousted Mark Davis 6-4 and Tian Pengfei knocked out Jimmy Robertson 6-2. Lu Ning followed them in the evening with a 6-4 victory over Mark Joyce.

Kyren Wilson recovered from losing the first two frames to see off Mike Dunn, Stuart Bingham edged out Kurt Maflin 6-5, while a break of 113 in the final frame enabled Tom Ford to do likewise to Robert Milkins.

There were also wins for Barry Hawkins, Joe Perry, Mark King and Sunny Akani.