Mark Williams stunned by referee error at Saudi Arabia Masters

Mark Williams faced an unusual incident during his quarter-final match against Jimmy Robertson at the Saudi Arabia Masters. After potting a black ball, Williams believed he had positioned his cue ball correctly for the next shot. However, referee Leo Scullion mistakenly picked up the cue ball instead of the potted black, leading to confusion on the table. Williams expressed his disbelief, prompting Scullion to realize his error and apologize. Fortunately, this blunder did not impact the match's outcome. Despite the referee's mistake, Williams maintained his composure and continued to play effectively. He had already demonstrated impressive form in the tournament, having come back from a 4-0 deficit in his opening match against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh to win 5-4, followed by a commanding 6-2 victory over Stuart Bingham in the second round. This strong performance set the stage for his encounter with Robertson. In the match against Robertson, Williams quickly established a dominant lead, going up five frames before the incident with the referee occurred. After the mix-up, he was able to refocus and ultimately secured a convincing 6-0 victory, showcasing his skill and determination. The match highlighted Williams's ability to handle unexpected situations on the table. As a seasoned player, Williams is known for his resilience and experience in high-pressure scenarios. Although he has not yet won a title this season, he remains a formidable competitor, holding titles from previous tournaments, including the British Open and Tour Championship.