Mark Williams becomes world champion after stunning Higgins recovery

ByEurosport

Updated 07/05/2018 at 22:10 GMT

Mark Williams became the oldest world champion in 40 years after a dramatic 18-16 win over John Higgins in an astonishing final at the Crucible.

Mark Williams wins the world title.

Image credit: Getty Images

Scotsman Higgins had recovered from trailing 14-7 on Monday afternoon to level the match at 15-15 in the evening before 43-year-old Williams won three out of the final four frames to edge the final 18-16 against a man who turned professional alongside his final opponent in 1992.

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He becomes the oldest world champion since fellow Welshman Ray Reardon won it aged 45 in 1978.

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Williams lifts world title for third time

It is a remarkable victory for Welshman Williams, who won the title 15 years after claiming it for a second time in 2003 to go with his first victory in 2000.

He did not qualify for snooker's biggest event a year ago, but has recovered to produce some stunning play this season including winning the Northern Ireland Open and German Masters as he ended a six-year wait for a ranking event.

Williams wins epic final against Higgins

"Last year I wasn't even here (last year)," said Williams, who made good on his promise to attend the media conference naked if he won the title.

"Last year I watched this in a caravan having some beers. I just can't believe it.

"You have to expect a comeback from John Higgins, when you are 50-60 in front he is the best at coming back.

"I knew at the end if I didn't get enough in front he would clear up again but I'm over the moon.

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"Last year I was seriously thinking of giving up, she (wife Joanne) said I can't sleep in the house 24 hours a day.

"I made a really good break under pressure. My game is now in pretty good shape now."

He collects a cheque for £425,000 after claiming the famous old trophy.

Williams discusses epic world title victory

42-year-old Higgins was never at his best in his quest for a fifth title and despite battling valiantly against his old foe, he had yet to win a session over the first three sessions until the final session when he produced breaks of 131, 67, 82 and 62 to win the first five frames in levelling at 15-15.

Higgins puts brave face on final defeat

Higgins only contributed 14 points in the 31st and 32nd frames with Williams making a 100 to lead 17-15.

Williams produced 63 in the 34th frame, but missed a pink for the title as Higgins ran in 65 to force the match to a penultimate frame before Williams pulled himself together to dominate the 34th frame for an 18-16 victory.

Higgins, four-times world champion, finished runner-up for the second year in a row.

"It was unbelievable to play in front of this crowd," he said. "The last frame was just a joke there for him to play that well under that pressure. He is a great champion."

THIRD SESSION REPORT

Mark Williams needs three more frames to win his third world title and first since 2003 after building a 15-10 lead over John Higgins at the Crucible.

Despite a late rally that saw Higgins close to 14-10 behind from 14-7 adrift, Williams won the final frame of the session to boost his hopes of the £425,000 first prize in Sheffield.

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Scotsman Higgins has not been at his best in this final and despite battling valiantly against his old foe, he has yet to win a session over the first three sessions.

He has lost 5-3, 5-4 and 5-3 and must make a fast start in tonight's final session if he is to stand any chance of a fifth world title at the age of 42.

Resuming 10-7 clear ahead overnight, Williams won the first four frames of Monday as he threatened to win the final with a session to spare.

But Higgins won three frames on the bounce to keep alive his faint hopes when they resume at 7pm with the first man to 18 frames claiming the trophy.

A key fluke for Williams

Williams turned 43 earlier this year, and is playing arguably as well as he has in his career as he demonstrated between frames 18 and 21 as runs of 61, 56, 69, 56 and 25 on Monday afternoon gave him a seven-frame winning splurge from 7-7 on Sunday night.

A 67 saw Higgins stem the bleeding before a brilliant 72 helped him deny Williams a 15-8 lead after he had made 65.

Another frame went to Higgins with an 80, but he could not win a fourth straight frame that would have allowed him to at least share the session at 4-4.

'Absolutely furious' - Williams slaps table in anger

SECOND SESSION

Mark Williams will take a 10-7 lead into the final day of his World Championship final with John Higgins after shrugging off a mini-wobble and fatigue to reel off the final three games.

In a clash between two of snooker’s elder statesmen, Williams responded magnificently to Higgins hitting top gear with some quality play of his own.

An intriguing final frame of the second session saw an isolated red and brown block the top right pocket, with Higgins seeking to reduce the deficit to one.

However, it was the Scot who cracked, rocketing into the two balls after potting a red and illegally sinking the brown. Williams stepped up, negotiated a tricky clearance and secured a commanding position heading into Monday.

Higgins has made three centuries in the final (119, 127 and 117) to Williams' one (118), but faces a big challenge to drag himself back into the contest on Monday - even if he can draw inspiration from his earlier exploits of turning a 4-0 deficit into 7-7.

He qualified for his seventh final after a 17-13 win over Kyren Wilson, while Williams edged past Barry Hawkins 17-15 in a late-night thriller.

FIRST SESSION

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Williams might have been anticipated to make a sluggish start after a tweet declaring he was enjoying doner meat and chips at 2.15am on Sunday morning.

But while his diet might not have met the strict standards of others throughout the match, it did not hamper him in the early stages of the game as he played some exceptional shots as he took the first two frames.

Mark Williams takes sweets from audience member during final

Williams then added the third and fourth - despite Higgins compiling a break of 55 in the latter, the highest of the match so far - to give himself the perfect start.

Another amazing three-ball plant by Williams

Higgins recovered well after the mid-session interval to give himself a chance going into the second session later in the evening.

A break of 95 was enough to give Williams a 5-1 lead after an early setback when Higgins scored a century break of 119 in the first frame after the interval.

And a trademark double saw Higgins on his way to a recovery to leave the scores at 5-3.

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