Snooker: Williams ill during win

Mark Williams, the Grand Prix champion, was rushed to see a doctor after victory in his opening match in the UK Championship at Preston yesterday afternoon. Williams, the world No 16, had been physically sick before and during a 75-minute second session against his fellow Welshman, Tony Chappel, but managed a 9-3 success against his rival from Swansea.

The 21-year-old left-hander from Cwm had completed the hard work in Sunday's first session when he took all but one of the opening eight frames. However, overnight he developed a stomach complaint and then struggled to add the two frames required to reach the last 32. Chappel, the world No 45, twice knocked in 60-plus breaks, while Williams scraped through with a modest run of 35.

Tomorrow he meets his next opponent, Yasin Merchant, the Bombay professional who defeated Dave Finbow from Worcester 9-5.