Defending champion Yan Bingtao was dumped out of the Masters as Mark Williams pulled off a sensational one-handed shot on his way to victory.
Williams recorded a 6-4 win over the 21-year-old in the first round of the tournament taking place at Alexandra Palace.
Yan raced into a 3-1 lead by notching breaks of 64, 71 and 57 before three-time world champion Williams took hold of the game with four half centuries and a century.
But it was his one-handed effort to seal the fifth frame that left fans in awe at the Palace as he potted the pink while snookered behind the black.
Clipping the pink perfectly off the cushion before dropping it into the yellow pocket, it was a shot very few of his fellow pros could pull off on such an occasion.
Williams, who is still battling the after-effects of Covid-19, also pulled off a trademark underarm shot to pot the yellow in the same frame.
‘I play them all the time in practice and in matches I don’t miss many underarm shots,’ Williams said.
‘There are some snookers I would rather play one-handed – it is not taking the mickey out of my opponent it is just that I feel more comfortable and if I get most of them, why not?
‘I am lucky I had an afternoon match. If I played a night match… you know in the house I am talking to my wife and within 10 seconds I am fast asleep.
‘It is just weird. It feels like you are carrying five bags of coal around on your shoulder all the time.
‘I’m definitely better than where I was a month ago but still nowhere near.’
Williams will now face John Higgins or Zhao Xintong in Thursday’s quarter-final and the Welshman admits he is enjoying playing in front of fans on the biggest stages.
‘It’s just nice to be playing front of a crowd,’ Williams added.
‘Back home we’re still under (coronavirus) restrictions so to come here and play in front of this fantastic crowd is great. The arena is probably the best I’ve ever played in.
‘I think it was a good game. I’ve been playing like that most of the season really, just been a bit unfortunate I had to miss a few events.
‘There’s nothing better than beating the defending champ anywhere, but here is even more special. The first time I won this he wasn’t even born. Just to get to venues like this at my age is just brilliant.’
MORE : Snooker’s ‘changing of the guard’ will be given an acid test at the Masters
MORE : Snooker review of 2021: Awards for Player, match, upset, disappointment of the year and more
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share this with