‘Williams found that very amusing’ – Kowalski takes note from Welshman’s playbook
Video credit: TNT Sports
Before the main tournament had even started, Kowalski provided the tournament with a fascinating storyline as he became the first-ever player from Poland to qualify for the Crucible – and crucially retained his tour card in the process.An emotional post-match interview followed his win against Jamie Jones on Tuesday, but he was quickly down to business against three-time champion Williams and provided an early show of eccentricity which may have only been seen before by the 51-year-old Welshman.
Having been afforded an early opportunity to get in among the balls, the 22-year-old seized the chance. Thumping home a red and black, his only real chance to further the scoring came via an awkward red near the top left pocket.
Even the most seasoned and confident players on the tour would bring out the rest to take on the red, but Kowalski had other ideas.
Instead, he decided to cue across the table, in a technique only really displayed by Williams in the past, with TNT Sports expert Neal Foulds observing the Polish youngster was completely “wrong-handed” with his strike.
Williams looked on with a slight smile, presumably shocked by the confidence of his counterpart on his Crucible debut.
Antoni Kowalski cue action against Mark Williams
Image credit: TNT Sports
“Williams was obviously finding that very amusing,” Foulds observed. “I’ve never seen anyone cue that far across on a shot before, that’s what Williams did! Completely wrong-handed on that red that was close to the pocket.”
Even the greatest stars of the sport are susceptible to nerves in the great Sheffield arena, but not Kowalski.
He romped to the opening frame with an immediate break of 82 and was assured and ambitious in his shot-making against a veteran of the competition.
Albeit aided by some stray attempts from Williams, Kowalski kept in touch with the ‘Class of 92’ star – and kept himself in contention to spring an upset on last year’s runner-up when they meet in Sunday’s decisive session – albeit he will have to come from 6-3 behind.
Speaking before the first-round match on Saturday, Williams was full of praise for Kowalski and said the new crop of youngsters are chasing the likes of Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson.
Which World Championship records can O’Sullivan break this year?
Video credit: TNT Sports
“What he’s done in the qualifiers is unbelievable,” Williams told TNT Sports. “He had to qualify for the Crucible to keep his tour card and he’s only low 20s.
“We have a few now – Stan Moody, Liam Pullen, this young boy as well. It’s nice to see other youngsters come through. The Chinese youngsters are dominating at the minute, hopefully we have a crop now of UK and European ones who can give them a run for their money.
“It’s good. They’re not chasing me, John [Higgins] or Ronnie [O’Sullivan], but they are chasing the likes of Trump and Kyren Wilson, so they have to look over their shoulders now.”
How to watch the World Snooker Championship
You can watch every day of the World Championship live on TNT Sports.
It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.
