Champion of Champions snooker winner Mark Williams paid warm tribute by Stephen Hendry – 'He's my hero'

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Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry applauded the unique potting magic of Mark Williams after the Welsh snooker icon claimed one of the biggest prizes in the sport with a 10-6 victory over an in-form Xiao Guodong in the Champion of Champions final in Bolton. It was the first time Williams has won the coveted invitational event, and comes only five months before he turns 50 in March.

‘The only player who can play this shot’ – Williams delights with underarm effort

Video credit: TNT Sports

Stephen Hendry described Mark Williams as "my hero" after the evergreen Welshman claimed his first Champion of Champions title with a convincing 10-6 win over Xiao Guodong on Sunday night.

Hendry's fellow Scot Alan McManus, the 1994 Masters champion, agreed with such sentiment by describing Williams as "amazing" in the aftermath of watching the three-time world champion lift his 36th career title in Bolton.

Wuhan Open champion Xiao had defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan (4-3), Mark Selby (6-5) and Mark Allen (6-3) in his unheralded run to the elite showpiece final, and threatened to extend his glory run after recovering from 5-0 to 5-4 behind in the first session of the final.

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But Williams regrouped strongly to win five of the next seven frames in securing the handsome trophy and £150,000 first prize.

"He's my hero, I have to say," said Hendry on ITV. "He's my best mate on the tour, but what's he doing at almost 50, how he is playing and the way he plays, without a care in the world. I love it."

Williams' first blue-chip win in an invitational event came when he edged Hendry 10-9 in the 1998 Masters final at the old Wembley Conference Centre with his first ranking event victory carried off two years earlier with a 9-3 victory over John Parrott at the 1996 Welsh Open final.

McManus feels Williams is setting a new benchmark in what can be achieved in the game with fellow 'Class of '92' member John Higgins without a major win since the 2021 Players Championship.

"You only have to look at John Higgins' struggles these days to see how well Mark Williams is playing," said McManus. "He is picking up title after title. Brilliant. He's amazing, the guy."

Williams was only denied the Saudi Arabia Masters title and a £500,000 first prize on the final black of an agonising 10-9 defeat by Judd Trump in Riyadh in September, but has recovered strongly after opting to change cues.

Hendry described Williams as the new 'People's Champion' after the vocal support he received from fans with wins over women's world champion Bai Yulu (4-1), world champion Kyren Wilson (6-5) and Neil Robertson (6-2) setting up his title shot.

"I played a legend today, and I learned a lot," said a humble Xiao after entertaining a sell-out crowd with runs of 110, 101, 68 and 55. "I want Ronnie, Mark and John to play for another 10 or 20 years!"

Williams has vowed to continue competing in the sport's biggest tournaments ahead of his opening match at the UK Championship in York a week tomorrow, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

'What a clever shot' - Williams pulls off double as he wraps up win over Si

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I'm not going to retire, I'm enjoying it," said Williams, who produced breaks of 104, 95, 91, 80, 67, 65, 62 and 51 in the final.

"What a feeling. I can't really believe it. I'm going to keep playing until I fall off the tour. Whenever that is.

"Winning is obviously good. I don't worry about it if I lose. Just try your best, that's all you can do.

"The older I'm getting, the more support I'm getting. Perhaps they always support the underdog. It's a nice feeling, and I think that is helping me play better too, when you have most of the crowd cheering for you."

"I really like my new cue," he added. "I was getting slated for changing cues.

"I'm not going to mention any names, Hendry," he joked. "It's starting to come good now and the new cue is the best thing I've ever had in my hands."

Xiao continued his impressive run of form that has seen him win the Wuhan Open, reach the semi-finals of the International Championship and the final of the Champion of Champions.

He has reached a career high of world No. 16 to avoid the qualifiers for the UK Championship this week in Leicester.

"He's been one of the players of the season," said Eurosport analyst McManus. "Xiao, Judd, Kyren and Mark Willams. He's in the top 16. We're going to see him at the UK Championship next week.

"Things are on the up for him. I think he's going to be a fixture there for the next few years."

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