MARK Williams, of Cwm, ictured, eased into the quarter-finals of the UK snooker Championships in York last night.

He beat Scot Alan McManus 9-7 and now meets Stephen Hendry for a place in the semi-finals.

Williams, the world number one, is back to something like his best form.

"I felt quite relaxed without any nerves," he said. "I'm playing a lot better than I was, but so is Stephen.

"We all have to be grateful he's not dominat any more, but he's still capable of winning tournaments."

The highlight of Williams' win against McManus was a break of 107.

UK quarter-finalist Ken Doherty is confident his impending marriage will not blunt his competitive edge.

The 32-year-old Irishman, who beat Welshman Dominic Dale 9-3, is due to wed psychiatrist Sarah Prasad in Melbourne on December 29 when he hopes to have snooker's second most prestigious ranking title in his collection.

Although Doherty was world champion in 1997, there is still a great deal for him to achieve, such as claiming the number one ranking, which is more fiercely contested than at any other time in recent memory.

And the Dubliner is determined not to become any less ruthless at the table after he settles down.