Williams makes strong start to new season at Championship League

Mark Williams made a strong start to the new season by winning Group 4 at the Championship League in Leicester to reach the last 32 of the campaign’s first ranking event.

The three-time world champion drew 2-2 with Connor Benzey in his opening match before completing two 3-0 wins over Fergal Quinn and David Grace respectively to edge out Benzey on frame difference after the English amateur enjoyed 3-1 wins over Grace and Quinn.

Welsh icon Williams produced breaks of 90 and 99 against Benzey, 66 and 101 against Quinn and 87 and 115 against Grace to show he has lost none of the scoring power that helped him win the British Open and Tour Championship last season.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, former Shoot Out winner Chris Wakelin drew 2-2 with Ian Burns in his final Group 17 match to top the section on seven points.

Burns needed to win the match to deny Wakelin a last-32 spot, but a point was enough for Wakelin to finish two points above his fellow Englishman.

Wakelin had earlier completed wins over Rory McLeod (3-0) and Liam Pullen (3-0) to leave him needing one more point to progress.

The action continues on Wednesday with two-time world finalist Matthew Stevens in action.

The eight group winners contest a further two groups with the winners meeting in the final.

£33,000 is on the table for the winner plus a spot in the Champion of Champions later in the year which is worth another £12,500 for qualifying.

• Group 21: Neil Robertson (Aus)
• Group 11: Ryan Day (Wal)
• Group 4: Mark Williams (Wal)
• Group 17: Chris Wakelin (Eng)