And Williams, who won the last tournament to be staged in Telford, the 2000 Grand Prix, revealed that much of his leisure time this week has been spent at a nearby bingo hall.

“We’ve been to the bingo a couple of nights this week because there’s so much hanging around in these tournaments,” he said.

“It’s a bit of fun, although my mate cost us £50 because he didn’t see the line of numbers.”

The laidback world No 2 was beaten 5-2 by Carter in the last 16 of last season’s British Open.

But Williams is feeling much happier with his game this year after joining forces with fellow former world champion Terry Griffiths, who has been advising him.

“I’ve been talking to Terry quite a bit and it’s made me more confident on the table,” Williams said. “When I’m getting the chances I feel like I’ll make a big break.

“A few months ago I was dreading having the balls everywhere because I felt I was going to miss somewhere along the way.”

Trailing 3-0, Carter stopped the rot with a break of 89 and had a chance to clear up in the fifth frame, but he lost position on the last red and Williams drilled it in from distance before adding the sixth in less than eight minutes.

“I played well,” Williams said. “Ali missed a few chances but I was relaxed for the whole match.”