Williams to meet White in all-Welsh semis

Welsh cueists Mark Williams and Michael White will face each other in what promises to be an interesting semifinal meeting at the Indian Open World Ranking Snooker Championship after they beat their respective opponents in the quarterfinals here today.
Two-time world champion Williams, the world no. 15, scored an emphatic 4-1 quarter final victory over ninth seeded Robert Milkins of England.
Williams carried on his morning form when he ousted second seed Judd Trump of England 4-3 in the pre-quarterfinals as he dominated the quarterfinal clash against Milkins, the world number 16, right through barring the fourth frame.
Williams, winner of 18 ranking titles and two Masters crowns, scored a fluent 69(51)-28, 58-45, 77(76)-0, 0-90(54), 67-12 victory to advance to last four for a meeting with shoot-out champion White.

It was also sweet revenge for his loss to Milkins in their earlier meeting at the 2013 Welsh Open and took their head to head record to 3-1 in the 2000 and 2003 world champion's favour.
World number 22 White fought back from 1-2 to oust 22-year-old Chris Wakelin of England, who had never progressed beyond the round of 32 earlier, 4-2.

Though he lost the first and third frames without getting a point against his name, White proved his mettle, especially in the fifth frame when he compiled a near-century break, when needed to carve out a 0-76, 59 (55)-7, 0-82, 72(71)-22, 99(99)-0, 55-46 win.

Williams and White would meet tomorrow morning in the semifinal to decide who moves into the final scheduled in the evening.
Earlier today, two former world champions -- second seed Judd Trump and sixth seed John Higgins -- were knocked out while giant-killing qualifier Thepchaiya Un-Nooh again came through with flying colours to enter the quarterfinals.
In the last pre-quarterfinal, fifth seed Joe Perry survived a tough battle against exciting young English compatriot Kyren Wilson to squeak through 4-3 into the last eight.