Williams vs Hawkins Prediction 18 February 2026

Mark Williams is certainly not in top form, with just three wins in his last ten matches leaving much to be desired. However, his recent performance at the World Open was impressive: he completely demolished Kresh Goorbaksani with a commanding 5-0 victory. His highest break in recent games reached 112 points, with Williams achieving two century breaks and eleven 50+ breaks.

Williams is renowned for his ability to adapt to situations at the table, skillfully switching from an attacking strategy to a defensive one and vice versa. His hybrid style of play keeps opponents guessing. Ahead lies a significant challenge for Mark-to prove his resilience against more consistent players in the current tournament. This will be a true test of his ability to withstand pressure and showcase his talent to the fullest.

Barry Hawkins is currently in decent form, even if his record isn't flawless, with five wins in his last ten matches. However, his consistency at the table commands respect: four century breaks and eighteen 50+ breaks speak volumes. He is a master at closing out frames with high scores. In a recent encounter against Duane Jones at the World Open, Barry showcased a classic example of his experience, securing a 5-3 victory.

His confidence in closing frames is impressive and highlights his tactical maturity. In matches against Williams, he has repeatedly shown his ability to neutralize aggressive plays from his opponent with elegant maneuvers. So, what can we expect from Hawkins? Likely, a continued battle at a high level-this player knows how to defeat even the most persistent opponents.