Steely resolve displayed by Mark Williams following his astonishing victory at the World Snooker Championship.
In this year's eagerly awaited quarter-final match-up at the 2025 Snooker World Championship, three-time champion Mark Williams proved he's got "balls of steel" as he edged past John Higgins 13-12 in a nerve-wracking battle.
Both players, with seven world titles between them, were at the top of their game in this closely contested match.
The session began with Higgins leading 8-4, but when it resumed, Williams stormed back, winning four frames on Wednesday's return to tie things up at 8-8.
But Higgins showcased his incredible talent, earning breaks of 94, 114, and 67 to force a deciding frame. However, Higgins missed a crucial blue shot on the cushion, leaving the door open for Williams to claim victory and secure a place in the semi-finals.
Speaking to BBC Sport afterwards, Williams, who has now beaten Higgins in five of their six career meetings, hailed his crucial blue shot as one of the best of his career.
"It was tough a shot. I could have gone in-off. I could have over cut it. I just went for it full-blooded," Williams said. "There was not one bit of nerves, maybe I’ve only had them a handful of times in my entire career."
Williams will face either Luca Brecel or Judd Trump in the semi-finals, while Ronnie O'Sullivan, pursuing a record eighth world title, will square off against Si Jiahui.
In the 2025 tournament, O'Sullivan leads Si 10-6 after Wednesday's morning session. In their previous meetings, Williams and Higgins have shared a fierce rivalry, with their games often deciding crucial tournaments like the 1999 and 2018 semifinals.
Did you know?
- Mark Williams and John Higgins are part of snooker's "Class of '92," which also includes Ronnie O'Sullivan.
- Between 2000 and 2018, Williams won three World Championship titles, while Higgins claimed four championships.
- Their combined world titles tally amounts to a remarkable seven championships.
- Perhaps after the resumption of play, the Crucible Theatre may once again echo with the sounds of strategic snooker matches, as Williams and Higgins prepare to face their semi-final opponents.
- The resumption of the 2025 Snooker World Championship will mark yet another chapter in the lengthy careers of Mark Williams and John Higgins, two players who have amassed years of experience and seven world titles between them.
- As the sports world eagerly awaits the semi-final matches of the 2025 Snooker World Championship, fans may reminisce about past battles between Williams and Higgins, their legendary games sometimes deciding crucial tournaments like the years of 1999 and 2018.
