Mark Williams, of Wales, edged John Higgins out of the tournament in a Crucible classic at the World Professional Snooker Championship (13 frames to 12, in what was their 67th meeting in major competition). Williams dubbed the “battle of the old boys”, given that Williams is now 50 and Higgins is aged 49.
Tied at 8-8 after two closely fought sessions, it was Williams who struck first in Wednesday morning’s decider, rattling off four straight frames to edge ahead. While each frame was tight, breaks of 52, 53 and 73 helped the three-time world champion surge toward the semi-finals.
In typical Higgins fashion, the Scot rallied superbly, firing in sublime breaks of 67, 94 and 114 to level at 12-12 and force a final-frame decider – the 11th of his Crucible career.
Higgins came into the match with a near-unbeatable record in Sheffield deciders, winning nine of his previous ten, with his only loss coming 29 years ago against Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1996. Williams, meanwhile, had only prevailed in two of his seven final-frame shootouts at the venue.
The final frame swung back and forth. Higgins looked to have one foot in the last four after clearing up to the blue and leading 69-56, only to falter on what would have been the match ball. Williams, ice-cool under pressure, stepped up to clear the final three colours and seal victory on the black.
Williams admitted, in conversation with Sports Boom afterwards, that this meeting was one of the best wins of his career. “The blue I played was probably one of the best shot I’ve played in many years, maybe even my career. To be that good onto the pink, what can I say?”
Class of 92
One of three players who turned professional in 1992, along with Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan, Williams has been one of the leading players for over three decades. Indeed, Williams, Higgins and O’Sullivan are often regarded as three of the greatest snooker players of all time, along with Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Alex Higgins, Ray Reardon, John Spencer and Joe Davis.
Despite his association with John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan, Williams has revealed he has never liked being grouped in the ‘Class of 92‘, insisting Ronnie O’Sullivan is in a league of his own and that comparisons have overshadowed his individual achievements.
O’Sullivan is out in front
“Yeah, I’ve never really liked it. I’ve always said that them two they’re the two best players in the world ever. Ronnie, by far the best, and John the second-best player ever for me, and I’ve always said that.”
Williams adds: “I don’t really like being classed with them because I think they’re much higher than me.”
“I think Ronnie’s probably the one who should be upset with the class of 92 because he’s so far in front of me and John. He probably gets sick of being in the class of 92, because he’s in his own class.”
Ruefully Williams adds: “But, you know, people like mentioning the class of 92, and I can’t get away from it.”
History in the making?
By reaching the semi-final for the eighth time in his career, Williams becomes the oldest man to do so since fellow Welshman Ray Reardon in 1985, who was 52 at the time.
Williams now faces Judd Trump for a place in the final (potentially against fellow veteran O’Sullivan). The semi-finals, a single table set-up, are taking place in the hallowed halls of the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
