Mark Selby very impressed as Mark Williams shot stuns crowd in China

 Mark Williams and Mark Selby faced off at the Guangzhou Billiards Exhibition.

Mark Selby and Mark Williams did battle at the Guangzhou Billiards Exhibition

Mark Williams potted an incredible black in an exhibition match on Monday - and opponent Mark Selby absolutely loved it. The pair went head-to-head at the Guangzhou Billiards Exhibition in China, where fans were treated to a battle between two multiple world champions.

With Selby one frame to the good, he and Williams were tied up at 60-60 in the second, leading to a shootout on the re-spotted black. Requiring a massive cut from distance, the Welsh Potting Machine took it on and wowed spectators as the ball rolled into the right-corner pocket. With no competitive consequences in a battle between friends, Selby lapped it up.

Williams returned to his seat with a smirk on his face amid a loud roar from those in attendance at the China Import & Export Fair Complex. And when the camera panned to Selby, he was grinning from ear to ear and slapping his knee to applaud. Selby even got Williams' attention and performed a salute before the pair laughed in unison.

At 50 years old, Williams is playing some of the best snooker of his career. He became the oldest player in the modern era to reach the final of the World Snooker Championship earlier this month.

And although he lost to Zhao Xintong, Williams left the Crucible with £200,000 worth of prize money and renewed belief that he can still challenge for the very top honours in the sport.

Mark Williams finished runner-up to Zhao Xintong at the World Snooker Championship

What happens over the coming weeks could be a determining factor in how long Williams continues to compete. The three-time world champion's eyesight is deteriorating, and he has a surgical procedure scheduled in less than a month.

"I've tried playing with contacts but it's very difficult and really uncomfortable in my eyes," he explained before the worlds. "I'm booked in on 12 June, I think, to get a lens replacement. If everything goes OK, hopefully that could prolong my career for another four or five years. That's what I'm hoping anyway."

Towards the end of his Crucible campaign, however, Williams revealed that he was having second thoughts. He said: "I have been reading up and talking to people who have had it done and I've got to be honest, it is putting me off a bit.

"I've got a big decision to make. A couple of people I have spoken to, especially Anthony Hamilton at length, have said it is no good under the lights and it has ruined his career. It has sort of put me under pressure. After this is finished, it is something I am going to have to look more into."