Welsh snooker whiz Mark Williams is on a collision course with Hossein Vafaei, one year after the pair had a heated clash at the table. The duo will square off in the second round of the 2025 World Snooker Championship, with their match set to get underway on Friday.
Veteran Williams, 50, took umbrage with Vafaei’s lack of respect after the Iranian rejected his handshake following their duel at the 2024 World Grand Prix. ‘The Welsh Potting Machine’ had just ousted ‘The Prince of Persia’ from the competition’s second round.
And Vafaei, 30, sparked outrage when he conceded at 3-1 down in their last-16 clash when Williams failed to sink the pink ball. The former gave his thanks to referee Olivier Marteel but then headed straight for the Morningside Arena exit without acknowledging his opponent.
The audience came to Williams’ defence by jeering the often controversial Vafaei for his lack of etiquette. And Williams explained the supposed reason for the snub after Vafaei explained his actions.
“I just pulled him up about it and said, ‘What’s your problem?'” he told reporters after the match. “And he said it was because I slapped my leg at the end, when I won.”
Williams had slapped his leg in frustration and missing his attempt on the pink and saw his break fall short. And many agreed that was hardly sufficient reason for his foe to do away with the usual formalities.
“I slapped my leg at the end because I shouldn’t have gone for the pink,” he continued. “I should have played safe. I thought he would have come back to the table and carried on for snookers. That’s why I was a bit fuming. He just stormed off, but if that’s the reason. . .I don’t care anyway!”
It’s nothing new for players to carry on their break attempts when a result is already in the bag. At the same time, no player is compelled to play on when they believe a comeback isn’t on the cards, though the customary handshake is often respected regardless of that outcome.
Not for Vafaei, it seems, which sets the stage for a much-anticipated reunion in Sheffield. The pair haven’t met since that showdown 15 months ago, where Williams racked up one century break en route to a conclusive victory.
The Welshman has won six of his seven encounters with The Prince of Persia to date, most notably beating him in the semi-finals of the 2023 British Open before he claimed the title in Cheltenham. Vafaei’s sole win over Williams was notable, however, winning in a final to be crowned 2022 Shoot Out champion.
Vafaei has already made headlines at this year’s World Championship. He once again copped criticism for letting out a cry of excitement when sinking a crucial pot in a narrow 10-9 first-round win over Barry Hawkins.
He later defended his actions and said that’s precisely the kind of thing fans “want to see.” The outburst divided opinion, however, as some suggested to the contrary.
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