Welshman Mark Williams proved too good for three-times winner Paul Hunter in their second round clash at the SAGA Insurance Masters.

Left-hander Williams triumphed 6-3 at the Wembley Conference Centre to beat an out-of-sorts Hunter, his opponent still battling with cancer after long spells of chemotherapy.

''It was strange playing Paul because we all know how bad he is,'' reflected Williams.

''It was hard to play against him. It was a strange experience playing him when you know he's not at his best, especially because he's a good mate.

''It's amazing Paul is out there doing as well as he is. I get on really well with him and wish him all the best.''

Williams led 2-0, the highlight of which was a 57 break in the second frame.

But Yorkshireman Hunter hit back to win the next three frames, a run of 59 in the fourth frame his best score at the table.

Former world champion Williams levelled at 3-3 thanks to a 63 break, and then a 45 run followed to restore the lead.

The eighth and ninth frames were scrappy, but Williams pinched them both, holding his nerve to sink a 40 break in the ninth frame - and with it the match.

''All matches are difficult, but I'm playing well in practice,'' he added.

''I just need a couple of wins to get my confidence levels up. If I can do that I could start playing well again.''

Williams now plays the winner of Tuesday's all-Scottish showdown between seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry and Glasgow's Alan McManus.

* Snooker's World Championship has a new sponsor after the sport's governing body signed a lucrative multi-million pound deal.

World Snooker have announced a new five-year deal with online casino and poker company 888.com, with a view to the agreement being extended in the future.

The news comes on the back of a new sponsor for the Masters, which began yesterday at the Wembley Conference Centre. Saga Insurance came in at the 11th hour to back the game's most prestigious invitation event.