Williams hits three straight centuries as Northern Ireland Open semi-finals take shape

Mark Williams produced three consecutive century breaks to beat David Gilbert 6-4 at the Northern Ireland Open on Friday, joining Kyren Wilson, Sam Craigie and Jak Jones in the semi-finals in Belfast. According to BBC Sport's report, the victories kept former champions Williams and Wilson on opposite sides of the draw, with a meeting between them still possible in the final.

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Williams had to recover from a difficult opening to his evening quarter-final. Gilbert made breaks of 62, 95 and 60 while establishing a 3-1 lead, and the players then split the next two frames. From 4-2 behind, Williams won four frames in succession to turn the match around, compiling centuries in three straight frames during that decisive run. The Welshman's recovery ended Gilbert's challenge without the match reaching a deciding frame.

Wilson's route through the afternoon session at the Waterfront Hall was more straightforward. The world number nine defeated Scotland's Anthony McGill 6-1 after opening a 4-0 advantage, helped by breaks of 77, 75 and 122. McGill responded with a break of 66 to take the fifth frame, but Wilson won the next two to complete the victory.

The result gave Wilson his first ranking-event semi-final appearance since March 2025, BBC Sport reported. The Englishman won both the world championship and the Northern Ireland Open in 2024. His next opponent is compatriot Craigie, who reached only the second ranking-event semi-final of his career by overcoming Elliot Slessor 6-2. Slessor moved ahead with an 82 break before Craigie took five consecutive frames on his way to victory.

Williams, ranked one place above Wilson, will face fellow Welshman Jones in Saturday's second semi-final. The 51-year-old is a three-time world champion and won the Northern Ireland Open in 2017. His comeback against Gilbert preserved the possibility of another title at the Belfast tournament, although Jones stands between him and a place in the final.

Jones completed the semi-final line-up by edging Scott Donaldson 6-5 in a late finish. A break of 84 in the deciding frame settled that quarter-final. Jones has already won the British Open and Championship League titles this season and now meets Williams for a place in another final.