MARK Williams admits he is unsure how many more World Snooker Championships he has left in him after crashing out at the first hurdle in Sheffield on Wednesday, writes Luke Baker.

The Gwent potter never got going at the Crucible Theatre, losing seven frames on the spin from 3-2 up to fall to a 10-2 defeat at the hands of fellow Welshman Matthew Stevens.

Williams trailed 7-2 overnight meaning a fast start was essential to spark any hopes of a comeback but Stevens posted a 115 break in the opener and then reeled off the following two to seal the triumph.

After missing out on the Crucible for the first time since 1996 last year, Williams produced a great run of form over the past few months to ensure automatic qualification this time around.

But following a disappointing display, the Cwm cueman insists he won’t be busting a gut to do the same in 12 months time.

“I tried hard to get back here and I did it but I won’t do that again next year,” explained Williams.

“I’m not going to play in every tournament like I had to this year – I’ll definitely miss a few events. If that means I have to sacrifice being here again, then I’ll sacrifice it.

“I’ve lost 10-2 but it doesn’t really matter - the worst thing I can do is lose, I’ve done that and now I’ll go home.

“It doesn’t make that much difference. I tried hard, it was nice to get back here and play again.

“I did enjoy it even though the scoreline wasn’t very good because any time could be the last time I’m here.”

The first-round encounter was a repeat of the 2000 World Championship final, won 18-16 by Williams.

The 40-year-old is good friends with Stevens off the table but believes the Carmarthen man will need to up his game considerably to challenge five-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in round two.

“I don’t think Matthew played well – he made one or two centuries but we both missed a lot of balls,” added Williams. “And I much preferred it 15 years ago when I won.

“He will have to play a lot better than that to even compete against O’Sullivan – he did enough to win but the scoreline was bit flattering.

“Of course he’s got a chance of beating Ronnie but you can’t say he’s got a great chance because no-one has a great chance against O’Sullivan.”

Stevens admitted he had mixed feelings beating his friend.

"It was most unexpected really - I don't think I've beaten him since 2003," he told BBC Sport. "But I didn't say that to him, I was just trying to keep it out of my head.

"I felt comfortable out there, to beat Mark even 10-9 would be difficult. So to win 10-2 is beyond my wildest dreams really."

"It's not nice, we have grown up with each other since we were young. We are like brothers. It is hard but we are both professionals and luckily for me it was my turn to win."

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