MARK Williams preferred to let his snooker do the talking at the ManBetX Welsh Open today, as he refused to get drawn into a war of words with fellow Gwent cueman Darren Morgan.

Veteran Newbridge potter Morgan labelled Williams a “total joke” and “keyboard warrior” in response to comments the latter made on social media regarding the former’s inclusion in the event.

Amateurs Morgan and Rhydian Richards were given wildcards for the Cardiff tournament by Welsh Snooker, something Cwm cueman Williams didn’t agree with.

He was keen for Ebbw Vale teenager Jackson Page, who did eventually take his place in the draw when Joe Swail dropped out, to receive a wildcard and made his feelings known via Twitter.

Morgan felt that those remarks were derogatory and slammed two-time world champion Williams in a post-match interview on Monday.

Williams, however, declined to respond to Morgan’s outburst following his 4-2 defeat of Mark King in the first round of the event he won in 1996 and 1999.

“I’ve got nothing to add to it,” said the 42-year-old. “You’ve all read what he said and there’s nothing for me to add.

“I’d rather just talk about the match I played today and the rest of the tournament.

“He said what he said, it’s all there for everyone to see.”

Just before Williams spoke to the media he had sat next to Morgan in a television studio, with the atmosphere between the two appearing to be frosty at best.

That came immediately after Williams got past King in a high-quality Motorpoint Arena encounter, one which produced three centuries in six frames.

The Welshman edged the opener before back-to-back centuries of 134 and 129 took him one from victory.

King responded with a century of his own and then made it 3-2 in a tight fourth frame, but a run of 60 in the next secured Williams’ passage into the second round.

“I thought I played quite well with two total clearances,” he added.

“The first frame could have gone either way and the fourth could have too, but I made a good break in the last.

“I played well and I’m just continuing the good form I’ve been showing, and I couldn’t have asked for any more from the season I’ve had.

“I’ve been practicing hard, having help off Steve Feeney with a bit of coaching, and it has been excellent.

“It would be nice to win this again.

“I’ve won two ranking tournaments this season, which I never thought would have happened, and if I get a third down here it will be brilliant.

“But it’s so difficult with best-of-sevens, I could play that match again and Mark King could win easily.

“The confidence coming into it is the main thing.

“I’m having a good run at the minute and the more matches you win the more confidence you get.

“I’m on this big wave, I know it’s going to come crashing down, but I’ve just got to ride it for as long as it keeps going.”

As well as Williams, Newport’s Ian Preece is in action on Wednesday after his 4-2 triumph against Zhao Xintong on Monday night, while Page faces defending champion Stuart Bingham.

Carmarthen’s Matthew Stevens is also through but Neath’s Michael White was hugely disappointed with his display in defeat to Martin Gould.