SNOOKER fans are rallying around Mark Williams after his mid-match tweet during the World Snooker Championship final.
The Welshman had a difficult afternoon to leave rival Zhao Xintong just one frame from victory ahead of the evening session.
ReutersMark Williams appears to have accepted defeat despite the final not being over yet[/caption]
GettyWilliams was full of praise for Zhao Xintong[/caption]
With Williams 17-8 down at the break, the three-time Crucible champion worryingly took to social media to concede defeat.
He wrote: “Oh well, that was tough, I have not got enough cue power to combat tough conditions like Zhao.
“His cue power is superb. Probably the best potter I have ever seen.”
Williams‘ supporters were desperately trying to convince him to maintain hope, with one saying: “We’re all with you Mark. If anyone can pull it back, you can.”
Another added: “He hasn’t won it yet. Stop talking like you’ve lost and go and make history this evening. You are inadvertently admitting defeat, and that’s not how you roll.”
A third commented: “If anyone can do it, it’s you mate.”
In another tweet, Williams added: “Last session in a few hours. Support I have had these last two weeks has been amazing from the crowd and everyone.”
He also revealed he was “absolutely” proud of his run to the final.
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But Xintong only needs to avoid a catastrophic collapse to make World Championship history and become the first ever Chinese player to win the event.
It completes a remarkable comeback for the 28-year-old following his ban 20-month ban for being involved in a match-fixing scandal.
Despite not throwing a game himself, Xintong pleaded guilty to betting on matches and being aware that another player was fixing ties.
It led to him losing his professional status, but he has fought back via the amateur circuit.
Xintong won four successive Q Tour events and it earned him a spot in qualifying for this year’s World Championship.
He came through four rounds of qualifying before beating the likes of Jak Jones, Chris Wakelin and Ronnie O’Sullivan on his way to glory.
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