In a jovial mood, Mark Williams reflected on his 6-0 whitewash of Jimmy Robertson in the quarter-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters. The Welshman, who secured at least £100,000 as a semi-finalist, joked about the hefty £500,000 winner’s prize money, saying he wouldn’t pick up his cue until Christmas if he won.

“If I did win this somehow, I probably wouldn’t even pick my cue up until Christmas time because there’s no need,” Williams quipped, hinting at taking a break from snooker. He lightheartedly mentioned that Judd Trump would remain atop the world rankings for a quarter of a century if he won the championship. Williams is now set to face Si Jiahui in the semi-finals after the 22-year-old defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan.

While Williams admitted to being critical of his own performance, he was content with the outcome. He chatted with Eurosport’s Ken Doherty post-match, sharing his thoughts on the game. “My aim was to be in the top 16 when I’m 50 and this so far has put me in good stead and I’m probably going to get my achievement,” Williams said, reflecting on his career goals. He emphasized the importance of grinding through victories even when not playing well, citing his success in such situations throughout his career.

World No. 1 Judd Trump, who presently leads the rankings with £1,074,000 earned over the past two seasons, had an impressive performance against Robertson in the quarter-finals. Despite the comprehensive 6-0 scoreline, the opening frames were tightly contested, showcasing the competitive nature of the matches in the tournament.

Williams managed to ease into the contest with victories in the early frames before sealing the win with a stylish break of 133. While he acknowledged areas for improvement in his game, Williams remained optimistic about his performance and trajectory in the competition.

The Saudi Arabia Masters continues to bring excitement and surprises, setting the stage for thrilling semi-final matchups as the players compete for the prestigious title.