Williams hoping for measure of Crucible revenge on Brecel at Shanghai Masters

The last 16 clash in Shanghai is a repeat of a second round meeting at the Crucible this year, which Brecel won on his way to becoming the world champion for the first time.

A dominant 6-1 win for Williams over Pang Junxu on Tuesday has set-up a rematch with the Belgian Bullet and he is hoping to gain at least some measure of revenge.

Brecel may still be buzzing from his stunning World Championship win, but Williams is hoping to bring him back to earth with a bang in Shanghai.

‘He beat me in the World Championships, if I did beat him, I’d rather reverse them round,’ Williams told WST.

‘He’s riding on a wave. We’ve all done it. The wave always comes crashing down, it’s just how long it takes. Hopefully I can take him off that wave tomorrow.’

The Shanghai Masters is the first main tour event in China since before the pandemic struck and Williams is delighted to be back there and playing in front of great crowds.

‘It’s brilliant,’ he said. ‘I don’t know how many was in there, but there was loads. It’s brilliant playing in front of a full house, that’s what the players want.

‘We played 9.30am here and my side and Rob Milkins’ side were almost full.

‘I think when you haven’t been to places like Shanghai for a long time because of Covid and all this, you don’t relaise how much you miss it.

‘Coming back here, we haven’t been here for so long it’s great to get out there. We’ve got a lot of tournaments in China and a lot of players are lookig forward to them.’

But having said that, the Welsh Potting Machine does not plan to drink in much culture while he’s away: ‘No not really. I’m not a sight-seeing person, I’ve been to China for 31 years and I’ve seen the Great Wall, I think that’s all I’ve seen.’

Milkins completed the last 16 line-up with a 6-1 victory over Bai Yulu also on Tuesday morning, with the Milkman setting up a clash with Shaun Murphy on Wednesday.

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