Mark Williams beats Ryan Day in the first round of the World Snooker Championship and is now third favourite to win at the Crucible
Mark Williams is now 6/1 with the sponsors for the
Betfred World Snooker Championship after completing a 10-5 first-round victory over Ryan Day.
The Welshman, seeking a third Crucible title after his 2000 and 2003 triumphs, meets Jamie Cope in the second round and is 1/5 favourite for that match, with his opponent 10/3.
Betfred spokesman Jon Wilde told Bettingpro: “Williams may not be playing as well as when he won his two world titles, but he is certainly a live candidate having won the German Masters this season.”
Ali Carter also looked in fine form as he notched up a 10-3 success against Dave Harold and his odds were cut to 14/1, with ‘The Captain’ aiming to go one better than when runner-up in 2008.
Seven-time former champion Stephen Hendry knocked in two centuries on the way to a 6-3 lead against Joe Perry and his impressive form prompted his outright odds to be cut to 40/1.
Ding Junhui is in to 13/2 having strolled to an 8-1 first session lead over Jamie Burnett ahead of Monday morning’s conclusion.
Betfred.com World Snooker Championship odds
Outright: 5/1 John Higgins, 11/2 Mark Selby, 6/1 (from 13/2) Mark Williams, 13/2 (from 15/2) Ding Junhui, 8/1 Ronnie O’Sullivan, 12/1 Shaun Murphy, 14/1 Judd Trump, Ali Carter (from 20/1), 20/1 Stephen Maguire, 25/1 Mark Allen, 28/1 Graeme Dott, 40/1 Jamie Cope, Stephen Hendry (from 66/1), 50/1 bar (e/w ½ 1,2).
In-play matches:
1/500 Ding Junhui, 50/1 Jamie Burnett (Ding leads 8-1)
1/9 Stephen Hendry, 5/1 Joe Perry (Hendry leads 6-3)
