Born: 21 March 1975 Nationality: Welsh Seeded: 3 World ranking: 2 Career earnings: �2,314,107 Ranking points: 42,850 Crucible best: Winner (2000)

This season, more often than not, Williams has hit the heights having won the UK Championship and the last-ever Benson and Hedges Masters.

On his way to those wins he beat four of the best in the business - Stephen Hendry, Peter Ebdon, John Higgins and Paul Hunter.

In December's UK Championship, his first title in Britain in 26 months, the former amateur boxer beat Ken Doherty 10-9 in a thrilling final.

And in the Masters he overwhelmed Hendry 10-4, playing what he described as some of the best snooker of his life.

He feels his form is on a par with that which he exhibited in Sheffield in 2000 when he beat Matthew Stevens 18-16 in the final.

However, since that victory, The Crucible has not been such a happy hunting ground, Williams faltering at the second-round stage on both occasions.

Current form would suggest that that the Welsh left-hander will progress much further this year.