Mark Williams hails ‘balls of steel’ as epic black-ball win vs Higgins breaks 40-year World Snooker Championship record

MARK Williams has become the oldest Snooker World Championship semi-finalist for 40 years after winning a Crucible classic against John Higgins.

This battle between two members of the Class of 92 lived up to its heavyweight billing and was decided in the 25th frame – and on the final black.

PA

Mark Williams and John Higgins put on a stunning show at the Crucible[/caption]

TNT

A delighted Williams punched the air after his 13-12 win[/caption]

TNT

Higgins had won four straight frames to force an epic decider[/caption]

The two stars had previously met 42 times on the World Snooker Tour since turning professional over three decades ago.

And their best-of-25 frame epic went down to the final black in front of an enthralled Crucible crowd.

Williams put together a remarkable run of five frames on the spin to put himself on the cusp of victory.

But Higgins reeled him in with a brilliant comeback, hitting breaks of 94, 76, 119 and 104 to force a decider.

The final frame looked set to go the way of the Wizard of Winshaw, but he missed the crucial final blue.

Williams rocked up to the table, sinking the blue, pink and black to take the decider 74-69.

The three-time world champion punched the air in relief.

It was a crazy, dramatic finale and if it turns out to be their last ever encounter then it will go down in snooker history.

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The late Ray Reardon made the semis in 1985 aged 52.

But he ended up losing 16-5 to No.1 seed Steve Davis, who was denied the title on the final black ball by Dennis Taylor.

Williams, who turned 50 last month, prevailed 13-12.

He will now face either Luca Brecel or Judd Trump over the best of 33 frames over three days.

Williams said: “Balls of steels! [My blue] was such a tough shot, it was thinner than it looked like.

“I have gone for the blue full bloodied. I had to go for it.

“I tried to stay calm. Roll in the pink, roll in the black. There were no nerves. I don’t get that.

“My hands were not shaking. My heart was not pounding. People say I am lucky, I don’t know any different.

“When I play poker, I get a pair of aces and my heart is pounding. I didn’t think he was going to miss it.”

It is remarkable Williams is into the last four given he has been struggling with his eyesight and has lens replacement surgery booked for June.

The match brought back memories of the pair’s greatest meeting in the 2018 final.

On that occasion, it was Williams who won a thriller 18-16.