MARK Williams crashed out of the Coral Welsh Open today, branding his performance in a 4-3 defeat by Elliot Slessor as “rubbish” and “so bad it was frightening”.

The Cwm cueman, a two-time former winner of the event, had fought back from 3-1 down to force a final-frame shootout in the first round encounter at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena.

But after the Welshman went in-off early in the decider, Slessor, 99 places below Williams in the world rankings, cruised to victory with a break of 90.

For Williams, it is only the second time in his career that he has lost his first match at the Welsh Open – the other occasion was in 2013 when Robert Milkins beat him 4-1.

“Rubbish,” said the Gwent left-hander when asked to assess his display. “That’s how I’d sum it up, rubbish. Only one frame I played any good in.

“I was so bad it was frightening. How I’m in the top 16 I’ll never know.

“I’m a shadow of the player I used to be and that’s why I put in performances like that.

“I was a bit unlucky to go in-off (in the final frame), and then once he potted the long red I fancied him to clear up.”

He added: “You always try your best, perhaps sometimes you try too hard.

“It could be one of the reasons I play like that, I might be trying a little bit too hard.

“When you put performances in like that, should you be playing this game?”

Williams took the opening frame but Slessor fought back to lead with two breaks of 50.

He also took the third to go 3-1 in front before 69 and 52 from the home favourite levelled proceedings.

A slice of bad luck in the decider gave Slessor an opportunity to clinch a place in round two on Wednesday and he did just that.

Without Williams, Gwent hopes are now with Ebbw Vale teenage wildcard Jackson Page and Newbridge’s experienced Lee Walker.

They are both in action tomorrow afternoon with last-64 clashes against John Astley and Australia’s former world champion Neil Robertson respectively.

Meanwhile, Neath duo Michael White and Jamie Jones prevailed in today's all-Welsh first round ties.

White beat Duane Jones 4-1 to set up a meeting with China’s Liang Wenbo, while Jamie Jones had to battle hard to get past Llanelli teenage wildcard Tyler Rees.

Fellow Welshman Dominic Dale is the next opponent for Rees’ conqueror, but David John and Gareth Allen won’t go any further after defeats today.

Cwmbran’s Jak Jones fell at the first hurdle on Monday night when he was beaten 4-2 by Craig Steadman.

Reigning champion and four-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan is also through to the next stage of the tournament.

He was largely untroubled against Tom Ford in a 4-1 success.

Other winners on Valentine's Day included Marco Fu and Mark Allen.