Williams critical of tables at Welsh Open

Mark Williams was an unhappy man despite reaching the third round of the Welsh Open at Cardiff today.

Mark Williams was an unhappy man despite reaching the third round of the Welsh Open at Cardiff today.

The world champion beat Stuart Pettman 5-3 to set up an all Welsh showdown with Dominic Dale but he criticised playing conditions after struggling to control the cue ball during a frustrating display in front of his home fans.

Williams said: "A workman should never blame his tools - but the table was an absolute joke.

"I had a chat with Stuart during the interval and he agreed with me. The cloth we are playing on is too thin. The ball is going on to the cushion and then coming off three times as fast.

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"I spoke to Mike Ganley, the tournament director, about it and he said they are looking into it and I hope they do."

Steve Davis won through to the third round with a 5-3 win over Mark King while Peter Ebdon, the 2002 world champion, was pushed all the way by Chris Small before finally scraping through a 5-4 winner.

PA