He had just clinched his second World Championship crown, was the undisputed world number one and also held the UK Championship title, snooker’s second biggest ranking tournament.He surely looked destined to be the man most likely to fill Stephen Hendry

Yet the last five years have not followed the script as the birth of Williams‘ first child meant he lost interest in practising and consequently his performances took a nosedive.So disillusioned had Williams become by the downturn in his performances that earlier he threatened to retire at the end of the season should he drop out of snooker

The good news for Williams’ many followers is that he has shown a mini revival in the second part of the season which will ensure that he remains in the top 32 for next year and an extended stay at the Crucible could even ensure he hangs on to a place in the elite of the top 16 next season.With a probable meeting against Ronnie O

His opponent Mark Davis is a player ranked 66th in the provisional world rankings and so his qualification for Sheffield is a little surprising, although he is better than his ranking his suggests.

He has a solid game and the fact that he is one of the least recognised names in the draw is likely to work in his favour.

Much depends on which Mark Williams turns up, if he struggles for rhythm and gets frustrated then Davis could capitalise.

But Williams’ recent improvement in form suggests he is getting himself ready just in time for the Crucible and on that basis, I take him to win and thereby ensure he is on a collision course with the Rocket in round two. Prediction: Williams 10-5 Davis