SNOOKER legend Jimmy White has tipped Cwm ace Mark Williams to emerge from his slump in form and roar back to his awesome best.

Speaking after his dramatic 5-4 second round exit from the Welsh Open at the Newport Centre at the hands of Australian rookie Neil Robertson, White told the Argus he expected double world champion Williams to be back firing soon.

Williams is in second round action tonight against Ali Carter, who defeated Adrian Gunnell 5-2 yesterday afternoon, and he will be looking for a good run in a tournament he has won on two occasions ( in 1996 and 1999).

"He played very well last week against Paul Hunter in the Premier League (in a 5-1 victory)," White said. "It is a funny old game and it will only take a couple of wins to spur him on.

"There is nothing wrong with his game. I think Mark's problems are more upstairs, a bit like me."

He added: "There's no danger (he'll be back). He's too classy a player."

White had to endure a painful defeat against the young Aussie who is tipped for the top. The fans' favourite came back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to draw level after a break of 77 in the eighth frame but a kick on a vital red in the final frame allowed Robertson to clear up with a 73 break.

"I didn't play very well at all," White lamented. "It is a bit frustrating that in the last frame I got in first but got a horrendous kick.

"I am very disappointed with how I played. One match I am playing all right and the next I'm struggling, but I am not playing that badly and don't have too much to work on. I just need to keep practising."

The story of the day was the form of Bridgend's Ryan Day, who thundered past tricky opponent Barry Pinches 5-1 with a performance that included three century breaks.

"I played quite well," understated Day. "I was struggling a bit in practice and was worried a bit at losing the first frame. But I came back in the second and once I got in front I got a bit of confidence and felt comfortable."

Next up for Day is a match against Steve Davis, who he came back from four frames down to defeat 5-4 at the Welsh Open in 1999, though he is hoping for an easier passage this time around.

"You don't get too many of those types of matches in your career," said Day. "Hopefully it will be the same result but I would like to get five from the start rather than wait until I'm four down this time.

"I fancy it this week if I can maintain the form and focus that I had against Barry, but one match doesn't win a tournament."

Results: Ali Carter (Eng) bt Adrian Gunnell (Eng) 5-2; Mark King (Eng) bt Steve James (Eng) 5-3; John Parrott (Eng) bt Ding Jun Hui (Chn) 5-2; Ryan Day (Wal) bt Barry Pinches (Eng) 5-1.

Second round: David Gray (Eng) bt Rod Lawler (Eng) 5-1; Peter Ebdon (Eng) bt Joe Perry (Eng) 5-4; Marco Fu (Hkg) bt Shokat Ali (Pak) 5-2; Drew Henry (Sco) bt Alan McManus (Sco) 5-4; Anthony Hamilton (Eng) bt Stephen Lee (Eng) 5-4; Ken Doherty (Irl) bt Joe Swail (NIrl) 5-2; Neil Robertson (Aus) bt Jimmy White (Eng) 5-4. Today's order of play: 1pm: Matthew Stevens (Wal) v Mark King (Eng), Stephen Hendry (Sco) v Stephen Maguire (Sco), Chris Small (Sco) v John Parrott (Eng).

3.30pm (approx): Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) v Ian McCulloch (Eng), Paul Hunter (Eng) v Barry Hawkins (Eng), Graeme Dott (Sco) v Quinten Hann (Aus).

7pm: Mark Williams (Wal) v Ali Carter (Eng), John Higgins (Sco) v Dominic Dale (Wal), Steve Davis (Eng) v Ryan Day (Wal).