Williams edges past Higgins 13-12 on the black in one of the all-time great World Championship battles
In one of the most captivating matches the Crucible Theatre has seen in recent memory, three-time world champion Mark Williams edged past John Higgins 13-12 in a dramatic final-frame decider to book his place in the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship. The Welshman sealed the victory on the final black, holding his nerve after an extraordinary comeback attempt by his long-time rival.
The match had everything: momentum swings, century breaks, tactical duels, and ultimately, a stunning finale that will go down in snooker folklore. Two giants of the game—members of the iconic ‘Class of ’92’—served up a classic under the Sheffield lights, with Williams becoming the oldest semi-finalist since Ray Reardon in 1985 at 52 years of age.
Higgins Fights Back but Williams Holds Firm
The match resumed on Wednesday morning locked at 8-8, but Williams came out firing. Higgins, who had been patchy earlier in the contest, was left to rue several uncharacteristic errors in the opening exchanges of the session. Williams took full advantage, rattling off four consecutive frames, including three half-century breaks, to open up a 12-8 lead.
At that point, it seemed like the match might be over before the evening session even began. But John Higgins, a four-time world champion, showed precisely why he remains one of the sport’s fiercest competitors. From 12-8 down, he produced a blistering run of breaks—94, 114, and 67—to claw his way back to 12-12.
The tension inside the Crucible reached unbearable levels as the decider unfolded. Both players had chances. Higgins had one golden opportunity but missed the blue, leaving it agonisingly in the jaws of the corner pocket. Williams, calm as ever, stepped up to clear the table and claim a victory that was both emotional and historic.
“Unbelievable game, unbelievable finish,” said Williams. “The blue I played was probably one of my best shots for many years. There was not one bit of nerves—maybe I’ve only had them a handful of times in my entire career.”
Williams Makes History – Again
At 50, Mark Williams is now the oldest man to reach the World Championship semi-finals since the great Ray Reardon nearly four decades ago. But anyone who watched him this week would argue age is just a number. His performance was a blend of vintage flair and modern precision, reminding everyone that class truly is permanent.
The match was Williams’ sixth meeting with Higgins at the Crucible, and his fifth win. Yet even with such a dominant head-to-head record in Sheffield, this encounter felt different. This was drama in its purest form—two warriors trading blows, right until the very last ball.
Higgins: “I Had My Chance”
For Higgins, there was disappointment, but also pride in the way he responded when his back was against the wall.
“I was poor the first four frames [this morning], but after the interval I had nothing to lose and played maybe the best four-frame burst of the whole event,” said the 49-year-old Scot.
“I had my chance. If I pot the brown and roll through, maybe the blue is unmissable. But you’re under that much pressure. It was an incredible atmosphere. I’m devastated right now, but the crowd—that’s why we keep playing the game.”
Despite the heartbreak, Higgins once again demonstrated why he’s revered by fans and feared by opponents. Even in defeat, his spirit and skill shone through.
What’s Next: Brecel or Trump Await
Williams’ semi-final opponent will be either Luca Brecel, the defending world champion, or Judd Trump, the current world number one. That match is finely poised, but whoever emerges will know they are up against a resurgent and fearless Williams, who is hungry for a fourth world title.
Brecel famously knocked out Williams en route to his maiden Crucible crown in 2023, while Trump has long been seen as a flag-bearer for the new generation. Regardless of who makes it through, the semi-final promises to be yet another classic in what’s already been a memorable tournament.
O’Sullivan in Control, Zhao Storms Through
Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Ronnie O’Sullivan maintained a four-frame advantage over Si Jiahui, ending the second session with a 10-6 lead. O’Sullivan, gunning for a record eighth world title in the modern era, showcased his trademark calm and clinical cueing, punishing Si’s errors and delivering a steady stream of big breaks.
Though Si put up a fight, including a classy century in frame 10, it was the Englishman’s experience that stood out. A break of 64 in frame 16 ensured O’Sullivan restored his cushion going into the final session.
Awaiting him in the semi-finals could be Zhao Xintong, who completed a commanding 13-5 victory over Chris Wakelin. Zhao, a former UK champion, returned to the tour this year after serving a 20-month ban for being complicit in a match-fixing scandal—though he did not throw matches himself. His comeback has been one of the talking points of the season, and reaching the last four at the Crucible is a clear statement of his intent to re-establish himself at the sport’s top table.
A Tournament for the Ages
With Williams, O’Sullivan, and potentially Trump all still in the mix, the 2025 World Snooker Championship is shaping up to be a tournament for the ages. Add in the emotional return of Zhao and the resilience of players like Higgins and Si, and you’ve got a field bursting with stories, subplots, and stardust.
But on Wednesday night, the spotlight belonged to Mark Williams—a player whose blend of humour, heart, and brilliance has made him a beloved figure in snooker. His epic win over Higgins will be remembered not just as a great result, but as a timeless reminder of why we love this sport.
