Mark Williams Stuns John Higgins to Reach World Championship Semi-Finals
In a thrilling encounter at the Crucible, three-time winner Mark Williams held off a spirited fightback from John Higgins to win 13-12 on the black, securing his place in the semi-finals of the World Championship. The match, which resumed at 8-8 on Wednesday, will be remembered for its dramatic finale, with Williams emerging victorious after a stunning shot on the blue.
According to BBC Sport, Williams, 50, had trailed 5-1 at one point but managed to turn the tables on his opponent. The Welshman reeled off four consecutive frames, compiling three half-centuries in the process, to take control of the match. However, Higgins, a four-time champion, refused to give up, staging a remarkable comeback from 12-8 down.
Higgins, 49, appeared to be labouring at one point, but suddenly found his rhythm, compiling breaks of 94, 114, and 67 to set up a tense finale. Both players had opportunities to clinch the final frame, but it was Williams who ultimately emerged victorious. As reported by BBC Sport, the decisive moment came when Higgins rattled the jaws of the corner pocket on the blue, allowing Williams to capitalise and seal the win.
In a post-match interview with BBC Sport, Williams described the match as "unbelievable" and hailed his winning shot on the blue as "probably one of my best shots for many years." He added: "What a blue…balls of steel. It was a tough shot. I could have gone in-off. I could have over cut it. I just went for it full-blooded." Williams also revealed that he experienced no nerves during the crucial moment, saying: "There was not one bit of nerves, maybe I’ve only had them a handful of times in my entire career."
Williams’ victory over Higgins sets up a semi-final clash with world number one Judd Trump, a repeat of their 2022 semi-final encounter. As the oldest player to reach the last four since 52-year-old Ray Reardon in 1985, Williams will be looking to continue his impressive run at the Crucible.
The BBC Sport report also highlighted Williams’ remarkable achievement, with the 50-year-old becoming the oldest player to reach the semi-finals in 37 years. With his confidence growing, Williams will be a force to be reckoned with in the semi-finals, and his match against Trump is expected to be a closely contested encounter.
As the World Championship continues to unfold, fans can expect more thrilling encounters at the Crucible. With Mark Williams’ impressive victory over John Higgins, the stage is set for an exciting semi-final clash against Judd Trump. Will Williams be able to maintain his form and make a deep run in the tournament? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – this seasoned campaigner has shown he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
