Champion of Champions snooker: Robert Milkins beats Mark Williams to reach quarters, Barry Hawkins hammers Luca Brecel
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Updated 14/11/2023 at 17:07 GMT
Barry Hawkins booked his spot in the last eight of the 2023 Champion of Champions with a dominant win over reigning world champion Luca Brecel in Bolton. Hawkins bookended a 4-0 whitewash with centuries of 128 and 108 in the first and final frames, respectively, as Brecel was barely allowed to approach the table. Earlier in the day, Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrew from the event.
Robert Milkins
Image credit: Getty Images
Barry Hawkins bulldozed his way into the quarter-finals of the Champion of Champions with a brilliant 4-0 whitewash of reigning world champion Luca Brecel, while Robert Milkins toppled Mark Williams.
Hawkins, currently ranked 12 in the world, is looking to add his second title of the season having won the European Masters back in August.
The 44-year-old started in electric form, refusing to even allow Brecel breathing room, taking the first frame with a blistering 128 total clearance.
After Brecel missed a difficult red at the start of the second, Hawkins seized on the opportunity, and some impressive positional play allowed him to keep his opponent at arm's length and double his advantage.
Brecel was barely out of his seat with fans in Bolton only seeing a glimpse of the Belgian in the third, where he only managed a 31 break.
Although this was the closet frame of the match, a confident Hawkins was able to see off his opponent to leave himself one frame from victory.
The onslaught continued as Hawkins signed off with a break of 108 to finish in style with another century.
He will now face Milkins later on Tuesday following his win over Williams.
Milkins wraps up victory over Williams
Robert Milkins won a tight scrap with Mark Williams, in a contest lacking the quality of the earlier match.
A cagey first frame saw both men make errors, with Milkins missing a simple pink, but a troublesome yellow put paid to Williams’ chances of taking the lead, handing the frame to his opponent.
Milkins had a chance to extend his advantage in the second but after knocking in a red to left middle, could only watch as the cue ball’s momentum sent the green away too.
This opened the door for Williams who showed fantastic composure to get himself on the board with a run of 88.
The third was a lengthy and scrappy affair after a series of misses but it was Milkins who eventually moved 2-1 in front after some intelligent safety play.
He could not edge away from Williams who pulled one back to make it 2-2, with MIlkins failing to pot a tricky red to the right corner, allowing the Welshman to drawl level.
Despite that, it ignited a fire in Milkins who bounced back immediately, knocking in a long starter to the right corner, following up with a blue before clipping some gorgeous shots to take a 56-4 lead in the frame.
WIlliams fought back, but Milkins was just too good, calmly picking off balls before taking a 3-2 lead.
Three-time world champion Williams stepped up first in the sixth frame, taking a 33-0 lead after splitting the pack.
Milkins fought back, seeing his opportunity to take the lead after a Williams miss. The match was not over, as Milkins failed to wrap things up, leaving a pink over the left corner to give Williams a chance to come back to the table - albeit requiring a snooker.
Williams laid a snooker, but Milkins made the escape and the man from Bristol controlled the exchange - with Williams eventually offering his hand when the pink was in the jaws of the green pocket and with no chance of being able to get it into open play.
After wrapping up his first career win at the Champions of Champions, Milkins will now prepare himself to take on Hawkins.
O'Sullivan withdraws from Champions of Champions
Earlier on Tuesday, Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the event due to "mentally feeling a bit drained and stressed”.
O’Sullivan was due to play his opening match of the tournament against Zhang Anda in Bolton on Wednesday. He has been replaced by Ding Junhui, who is set to arrive in the UK from China on Tuesday evening.
“Hi guys, just wanted to let you know I’m unfortunately withdrawing from the Champions of Champions event tomorrow,” said O’Sullivan on X, formerly Twitter.
“Mentally, I feel a bit drained and stressed and I want to look after my mental health and my body. I’m sorry to all the fans but I’ll be back.”
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