Mark Williams Relishing "Dream Match-up" with John Higgins in World Championship Quarter-Finals
Mark Williams has expressed his excitement at the prospect of facing fellow snooker legend John Higgins in the quarter-finals of the World Championship. The two players, who are part of snooker’s fabled Class of 92, are set to lock horns at the Crucible, with the match kicking off on Tuesday.
According to a report by TNT Sports, Williams got the better of a tight battle with Hossein Vafaei in round two, while Higgins edged out Xiao Guodong 13-12. The stage is now set for a thrilling encounter between two of the sport’s all-time greats.
Williams, who will turn 50, is thrilled at the opportunity to face Higgins, who is also nearing the milestone birthday. "What an occasion, me and him," Williams told TNT Sports. "He’s nearly 50 years of age, I am 50. Quarter-finals of a World Championship, 33 years and still going strong, it’s just a dream match-up."
The two players have a history of producing thrilling encounters, with their meeting at the Masters in 2022 being a standout example. Williams edged that match 6-5, and he is hoping for a similar atmosphere at the Crucible. "The reception would probably be like the Masters when we played in 2022, and we had a standing ovation," Williams said. "I would just love to play in that atmosphere again. Come on the old boys."
Williams also reflected on his win over Vafaei, which he sealed with a century in the final frame. "This afternoon, the final session, the first four frames could have gone either way," he said. "I can’t believe I made a century [in the final frame], it did not seem a match-winning break was on. To make 100 in the last frame, it’s an unbelievable break, really."
The match between Williams and Higgins will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with fans able to watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand. As TNT Sports reports, Williams is looking to make the most of his time on the snooker circuit, acknowledging that he doesn’t know how many more opportunities he will have. "The last few times I have come here, I am just trying to enjoy the moments because I don’t know how many times I will be back," he said. "I don’t know how I am still playing to a fairly decent level."
The World Championship continues to provide thrilling storylines, with Williams and Higgins set to produce another captivating encounter. As TNT Sports notes, the Class of 92 continues to defy expectations, with Williams and Higgins still competing at the highest level 33 years after turning professional. The stage is set for a fascinating quarter-final encounter between two snooker legends.
