Mark Williams bites back at Stephen Hendry’s criticism after White’s win over Jamie Clarke

Mark Williams hit back at Stephen Hendry’s criticism, saying “it’s easy from the commentary box” after the Scot criticized Williams’ performance in her first outing at the British Open.

But after his clean sweep in Belfast on Tuesday, Williams hit back at the Scot’s comments, suggesting he is in no position to comment on his poor form.

“It’s easy in the commentary box, isn’t it,” he told Eurosport. “We saw his comeback, how he finished. He can’t say too much. Maybe he should use one, he could play a little better.”

The Welshman has since bided his time to play pool and suggested his run in the Saudi final has inadvertently affected him negatively as he has since “gone off the ball “.

“I’ve been playing more pool than snooker in the last few months and I know my snooker will suffer,” added Williams.

“But it doesn’t matter. Like I said, I got to the final in Saudi Arabia, it’s probably a bad thing because I got off the ball, I didn’t hit my cue, I just played more pool.

“I’m training once a week. If I didn’t get to the Arab final, I’d play every day.”

Williams’ win was ultimately a welcome relief to a tough recent run, and it started in cheeky style with the Welshman laboriously claiming the opening two frames.

But the 2017 Northern Ireland champion found his rhythm to stomp more comfortable frames for the third and fourth, which included a table-clearing break of 75 to cap off a dominant display.

Williams said he continues to “slowly” get used to his new sign, adding that he would have to suffer before seeing positive results.

“Slowly improving,” he said. “It’s a new sign, so it takes a little time to get used to it.

“Like in that great movie (Roadhouse), Dalton says it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

The 49-year-old will face a tougher test in the last 32 against Noppon Saengkham, who edged out compatriot Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in a thrilling encounter 4-3.