World Snooker Championship final stopped for medical emergency | Other | Sport
The World Snooker Championship final was stopped in the sixth frame due to a medical emergency, with both Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong told to sit in their chairs and not step up to the table. Towards the beginning of the frame, Williams was eyeing up his opening pot with a long red, using the rest.
However, before he could strike the ball, he was informed by referee Desislava Bozhilova to halt proceedings as she was alerted to an ill fan in the crowd. Williams was told to return to his chair and wait until the person in question was able to receive medical attention.
Dennis Taylor, on commentary for the BBC, explained: “There is someone not feeling quite so well, but I don’t think it is anything serious I can see in the crowd. [They] might just need a couple of minutes.”
There was a pause in the Crucible arena for quiet as Taylor then continued: “It will only be a couple [more] seconds… and I think we should be OK. Just someone not feeling so well, out for a bit of fresh air.”
Only a few moments passed before they were able to resume, with the spectator walking up the stairs and out of the venue. The players did not need to leave the stage and Williams could then take his shot.
But, having had his concentration broken and a lengthy delay for the shot, Williams missed a red to the bottom-right corner he would have expected to pot.
Zhao had made a mistake when trying to roll up to the pack of reds, but came up too short and allowed a stray ball to be potted if Williams was able to take advantage.
But the Chinese potter, having done very little wrong throughout the opening session, uncharacteristically missed his own chance moments later.
Williams could not find the pocket on his next shot in what turned out to be a disastrous first session and lost the frame, before two more defeats to go down 7-1 early.
Stephen Hendry, on co-commentary duties, described it as “the worst session” has has seen the 50-year-old play in Sheffield. He has it all to do before the pair return on Sunday evening.
