Welshman Mark Williams is aiming to cap his return to form with a third world title.
Snooker's forgotten man harbours Crucible hopes
Mark Williams is aiming to cap his return to form with a third world title.
The Welshman, champion at the Crucible in 2000 and 2003, dropped out of the elite top 16 in the rankings at the end of the 2007-08 season after a spectacular slump.
The 34-year-old was therefore forced to return to the qualifiers in order to gain access to the first round of ranking events.
He knuckled down to the task in hand and is back up to 13th in the provisional rankings for the 2009-10 campaign.
"It's been strange because I'm used to getting to all the venues, but I was never worried about going to qualifying," Williams said.
"I've done it before and I knew certain reasons why I was in the qualifiers and I knew I had to get on with it.
"There was no point moaning about it and if I can get straight back to the top 16 after coming out I think that would be a good feat."
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Only five players have won three or more world titles in the modern era, which began in 1969 when the World Championship became a knockout event.
Williams could now join that club, which is headed by seven-time winner Stephen Hendry - his first-round opponent this time.
"There's room in my trophy cabinet for anything, never mind a world title," Williams added.
"I feel in practice in the last six to eight months I'm playing as well, if not better, than I was when I won the World Championship about 300 years ago.
"Obviously the standard in depth has got a lot stronger but I still feel I can win tournaments."
The Betfred.com World Championship in Sheffield runs from April 18-May 4. Williams' clash with Hendry takes place across the opening two days.
