Mark Williams set to play in Northern Ireland Open final despite concerns over wife's illness

ByDesmond Kane

Updated 26/11/2017 at 12:00 GMT

Mark Williams is set to play in the Northern Ireland Open final with Yan Bingtao despite concerns over his wife Jo who was taken back into hospital on Saturday.

Williams is one win away from claiming his first ranking title since 2011 after a 6-2 victory over Elliot Slessor in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.

He is due to face 17-year-old Yan Bingtao, who won the battle of the Chinese teenagers with 19-year-old Lyu Haotian emerging victorious with a 6-2 win.

The Welshman tweeted later on that his place in the best-of-17 frames final was in doubt due to worries over his wife Jo.

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However, a tweet on Sunday morning appeared to indicate that he will go ahead and play in the final.

The Welsh double world champion has reached the final set against the backdrop of his wife ill back in Wales with suspected viral meningitis.

He almost pulled out the tournament earlier in the week before Jo was released from hospital.

"Not the phone call I wanted," said Williams on Twitter. "Mrs in ambulance taking her back to hospital tonight. Summut not right here. Waiting to hear what is going to happen next .

"@jodenwill really going through it at the moment. Last thing I want is too pull out now but we will have 2 wait and c."

He is due to face the winner of the all-Chinese semi-final between two teenagers, 17-year-old Yan Bingtao and 19-year-old Lyu Haotian, over the best-of-17 frame final on Sunday.

Williams last won a ranking tournament against Mark Selby at the German Masters in 2011 with the previous one on UK soil coming at the LG Cup in 2003 when he defeated John Higgins at the Guild Hall in Preston.

"I came close to stopping at the start of the season for the first time, but missus talked me round. She couldn't stick seeing me every morning," said Williams, who is ranked 16 in the world ahead of the 31st ranking final of his career.

"I was solid enough today. I'm happy enough my performance. I'm looking forward to the final.

Elliot Slessor in action in Belfast (picture courtesy of Jason Conlon).

Image credit: Eurosport

"I don't have the same desire as I was when I was 21, but I am playing a lot more than I was over the past few years. I'm enjoying it. That's the main thing. As long as I'm enjoying it, I'll keep playing."

The two-times world champion was always in control of his semi-final against world number 82 Slessor - playing in his first ranking event semi-final - as breaks of 127, 61 and 68 helped him lead 3-1 and 5-2 at the Belfast Waterfront.

Slessor will earn £20,000 for his run to the last four including a win over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the last 32, but he was in no mood to enjoy the moment.

"That was disgraceful from me," he said. "It was just embarrassing. I can't believe I played so badly."

Bingtao will become the youngest winner of a ranking event if he wins this tournament at the age of 17.

He is three months younger than 17-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan when he lifted the UK title in 1993.

"I am quite proud of myself so far," said Yan. "Ronnie is my idol. I like his playing style, and look up at him.

"It would be a great honour, but I have to do a lot of hard work.

"I know Mark is very good player. I know if I want to win tomorrow, I must play much better."

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