But two-time Masters finalist Doherty hit back in sensational style to win six frames in succession for a deserved 6-2 victory and place in the quarter-finals of this year’s £460,000 event at the Wembley Conference Centre.

“You never know, that could be my last match here at Wembley,” reflected Williams, who has slipped to number 33 in the provisional world rankings.

“I’ve got to have a really good end to the season to give myself any chance of staying in the top 32.

“If I drop out of the top 32 then I would probably call it a day, that would be it (the end). If I’m still in the top 32 then I’ll probably stick around. It all depends on the last two or three months.

“I’m hitting the ball a lot better (than 12 months ago), but I’m still getting the same results. It’s very annoying.

“But hopefully I can get a few results in the last few ranking tournaments and it doesn’t come to that (retiring).

“I don’t think I’d be looking at going to the qualifiers to be honest. It will be hard work going back to Pontin’s (Holiday Park).”

Williams started well enough and with breaks of 118 and 69 deserved his two-frame cushion.

But Doherty, beaten in the 1999 and 2000 Masters finals, responded with a break of 104 – and from there did not look back as he added further runs of 47, 89, 68 and 46 to clinch victory in little over two hours.

“I started off all right. He played quite well, but from 2-0 I didn’t really do that much wrong,” added Williams.

“I missed a couple of balls, but nothing I can really beat myself up about.

“I felt quite good out there. Obviously I’d have liked to have won, so I’m very disappointed.”

An understandably delighted Doherty now goes on to meet Rotherham’s Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, on Thursday afternoon.

But he does not think Williams is about to throw in the towel.

Doherty said: “Yes, of course it could happen, but I couldn’t see it happening. Mark is a proven quality player and yes, every player goes through highs and lulls, but you just have to play through it and believe in yourself.

“I’m sure if he sits down and thinks about all the good times then he’ll keep playing. He’s won two World Championships and many tournaments, he’s still a great player.

“He started off so well and to be honest things were looking a little bit ominous, but at times like that you have to believe in yourself and dig deep.

“Luckily he missed a red when he could have gone 3-0 up, but I made a century break and it seemed a lot easier from then because I’d got a little bit more confidence back. It gave me the lift which I needed.”