World Snooker Championship 2025: 'Annoyed' Mark Williams ironically taunts table after 'big bounce' off cushion

Mark Williams cut an "annoyed" figure after his early break in the second session of his World Championship quarter-final against John Higgins was cut short by an abnormally large bounce off the table's bottom cushion. The Welshman, though, still found light in the situation, as he ironically taunted the table with a thumbs up, providing The Crucible faithful some comic relief.

'Annoyed' Williams ironically taunts table after running out of position

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mark Williams' comeback attempt was stalled slightly when a break-building opportunity in the opening frame of his second session against John Higgins was stalled by a "big bounce" off the table's bottom cushion.

The 50-year-old, however, is always good value for entertainment, even in situations of the highest pressure, and he provided some comic relief to the Crucible crowd when he taunted the cushion with a sarcastic thumbs up.

There was no doubting Williams was "annoyed" by the situation, as pointed out by TNT Sports commentator Dave Hendon, but he used his experience to quell any disappointment and play a subsequent safety shot and keep Higgins on his toes - the Scotsman just 5-3 up at the time.

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"I'm not sure if that was a big bounce or not, because it didn't look like he'd hit it too hard," Neal Foulds said on TNT Sports' commentary, as Williams broke down with just six points on the board.

Hendon replied: "He thinks it was, with that rather ironic thumbs up to the cushion!"

Foulds went on to say that several players had been talking about a sizeable bounce off the cushion in the tournament so far.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"Maybe they'll try and sort it for tomorrow," he said. "Because a few players have been talking about this big bounce coming down the table. It looks like he'd hit it at a good speed."

On Williams being forced into a safety shot, Foulds said it was "such a shame".

"That wasn't his fault, that he ran out of position" the commentator added.

Hendon went on to praise Williams' response to the missed opportunity, keeping his composure and going on to play a successful safety.

"This is where temperament is so important, because even early on in a session, a lot of players, that would really affect them. The sense of injustice. He was annoyed, you can see that, but he has the [mindset] to put it to one side."

Williams went on to fall just short of a century in the session's opening frame to go within one of parity.

In the rest of the tense evening session, Williams chalked back his deficit to go into Wednesday's decider at 8-8.

The two 'Class of 92' stars will continue their clash in the morning session, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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