Welsh Open: Mark Williams and John Higgins through to last four

Wales' Mark Williams beat world number 11 Marco Fu 5-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Welsh Open in Cardiff.

World number 16 Williams, 39, hit two centuries including a 108 clearance in the fourth frame in what was a dominant display.

Four-time world champion John Higgins also won by the same score-line against 2013 Welsh Open champion Stephen Maguire.

It keeps the Scot on course for a record fourth Welsh title.

Higgins is currently joint record Welsh Open champion on three wins, alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry.

He will play Belgian 19-year-old Luca Brecel who beat Ricky Walden 5-3 having earlier knocked out world number one Mark Selby in the last 16, for a place in the quarter final.

Williams, who has previously won his home event in 1996 and 1999, hopes to win his first title in four years.

"I can't play much better than that, I potted a few long ones and made big breaks," he told World Snooker.

He will play for a place in the final against Ben Woollaston, who beat world number 61 Gary Wilson 5-2.