Mark Williams is in hospital after suffering from chest pains during his second round World Snooker Championship match with David Gilbert on Friday.
The world champion, who is 5-3 down against the 16th seed, tweeted soon after the conclusion of his opening session that he was in the A&E.
A&E. Could be hear a while , couldn’t stick the chest pains no more. Lucky there wasn’t any more frames to play . #bettergetcheckedoutsafethansorrry
— MARK WILLIAMS M.B.E (@markwil147) April 26, 2019
The 44 year-old produced incredible snooker twelve months ago to capture his third world crown an amazing 15 years after his last success at the Crucible in 2003.
Williams, who came from 9-5 behind in this season’s World Open final to deny Gilbert in a decider, has very publicly enjoyed the celebrations of that victory since last May.
The popular Welshman has already received an outpouring of support on social media and across the snooker community.
Get well legend
— Michael Georgiou (@mikegeorgiou147) April 26, 2019
All the best , hope everything is ok mate.
— barry pinches (@barrypinches) April 26, 2019
I’m hoping you feel better Mark, take care.
— The Cue View (@ViewCue) April 26, 2019
Williams’ second session with Gilbert is due to take place on Saturday morning at 10am, with the concluding session in the best of 25 frames encounter scheduled for later that day.
The former world number one’s health is of the utmost importance, though, and considering he has chest pains it is a wonder if he’ll be able to continue at all.
Responding on Twitter later in the evening, Williams said that “doctors are confident it’s not anything to do with my heart.”
Despite the discomfort, Williams had compiled a century and two breaks above 50 to level his last 16 contest with Gilbert at 3-3.
But the latter, who is featuring at this stage in Sheffield for only the second time, scored a break of 88 in the penultimate frame of the session before also taking a scrappy last to establish a two-frame cushion.
Best wishes to Williams on his recovery overnight.
