Stephen Hendry has slammed Mark Williams for a ‘horrific’ performance after the Welshman was dumped out of the British Open in the first round. The defending champion was surprisingly beaten 4-1 by world No. 81 Rory Thoras.
Williams struggled to get to grips with the new cue he has been using since reaching the final of the Saudi Arabia Masters. Seven-time world champion Hendry described the sound of the cue as ‘horrific’ and said the 49-year-old’s performance was “very, very bad”.
Speaking on ITV4, Hendry said: “It was a very, very poor performance. He’s using a new cue, I hope he was paid nicely because it’s going to derail his season. It’s going to take him a bit of getting used to.
“It sounded horrific and his play was horrific. It was very, very bad.”
Williams stunned Mark Selby to win the British Open a year ago but could take some time to become familiar with his new cue.
Meanwhile, Mark Allen has apologised to ITV interviewer Rob Walker after a furious rant about the playing conditions in Cheltenham. Allen narrowly defeated Gary Wilson 4-3 in the first round.
But the Northern Irishman was unhappy that organisers left doors open inside the venue, allowing the wind and rain to make its way inside and disturb his rhythm.
“The conditions out there are absolutely embarrassing,” Allen told ITV. “It’s some of the worst weather outside and they’ve left the massive transport doors open. It’s so cold, it’s so humid, out there. The table needs to be burned.
“Gary was laughing his head off at the very first break-off shot he played. It reacted like it shouldn’t ever react, it’s just embarrassing it came so wide.
“The cushions are unplayable, uncontrollable. It was heavy. The speed was decent but there are new guys doing the tables this year and they’re just clearly not up to it. Just not good enough.’
A spokesperson for the World Snooker Tour responded: “Our table-fitting team has been consistent for some time and works to the highest standards.
“The weather in the area has seen unprecedented rainfall over the last couple of days which can negatively influence the conditions. We have raised the issue of an open door with the venue.”
