Mark Williams vs Ronnie O’Sullivan Prediction: The end of the road for Williams

Mark Williams will face Ronnie O'Sullivan in Sunday's Tour Championship final. In the last meeting between these two players, Mark Williams got a 6-5 shocking victory. Can the Welsh veteran show a top level performance, or will Ronnie O’Sullivan turn things around here?

Mark Williams showcased exceptional form in Manchester, securing victory over Mark Allen with three centuries, including a remarkable break of 140 in the ninth frame. Williams dominated the early stages, winning the first nine frames. However, Allen, the world number three, staged a comeback by winning five consecutive frames, posing a threat to Williams' lead. Yet, Williams remained composed and crucially won the 10th frame, securing his spot in the Tour Championship final.

At 49 years old, Williams found his rhythm early on with a break of 99 in the third frame and continued his momentum with back-to-back centuries in the following frames, quickly establishing a 5-0 lead. He continued to dominate, extending his lead to 9-0 with a superb break of 140. Despite Allen's resilience, including five half-centuries to narrow the gap to 9-5, Williams sealed the victory with a break of 75, ensuring there would be no dramatic comeback.

Williams' impressive performance sets up a final showdown with Ronnie O'Sullivan. The 48-year-old Englishman is aiming to add to his five victories this season, highlighting the intensity of the upcoming final.

The seven-time world champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan, displayed remarkable form in Manchester on Friday, securing a 10-7 victory over Gary Wilson with three century breaks. Initially trailing 2-0, O’Sullivan turned the tide with breaks of 102 and 110, surging to a 4-2 lead. Wilson, however, responded with runs of 83, 84, 82, and 96, leveling the match at 7-7. Nevertheless, O’Sullivan's dominance emerged in the final stages as he clinched the last three frames, supported by impressive visits of 98 and 129.

Reflecting on the game, O’Sullivan expressed his determination to stay focused on the positives and credited his consultations with psychiatrist Steve Peters for his mental resilience. He emphasized the need for a committed approach to overcome his mental challenges related to the game's intensity and constant adjustments.

The Tour Championship, designed for top-ranked snooker players based on one-year rankings, saw O’Sullivan reach the final for the third time. While he won the inaugural event against Neil Robertson, he faced defeat against Robertson in the event's subsequent edition two years later.

The two snooker players have performed admirably up to this point in the competition, and they will consider this match crucial. I don't anticipate an easy path for either player, but I am confident that Ronnie O'Sullivan has the skills needed to emerge victorious. Nevertheless, Mark Williams has been in excellent form recently, and he will undoubtedly be seeking a positive outcome. Therefore, I expect a closely contested match that could go either way, with a high likelihood of multiple frames being played.