World Snooker Championship: Mark Williams showed 'balls of steel' in beating John Higgins in epic Crucible quarter-final between 'Class of 92' greats

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The World Snooker Championship continued to dazzle on Wednesday, as Mark Williams and John Higgins served up a Crucible cracker. Befitting two of the sport's greatest players, it went to a final frame, with Williams getting over the line in dramatic circumstances. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

'Incredible, amazing, phenomenal!' - Williams beats Higgins in dramatic decider to move into semis

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mark Williams joked that he showed "balls of steel" in edging out John Higgins at the World Snooker Championship.

The 'Class of 92' demonstrated there is life in old dogs as, at a combined 99 years of age, they served up a quarter-final classic at the Crucible.

After seeing Higgins roar back from 12-8 down, Williams won a rollercoaster deciding frame to book his place in a World Championship semi-final for an eighth time.

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The Welshman said he felt jaded heading into the deciding session, but dug deep to get over the line.

Asked what helped him secure victory via a stunning blue with the match on the line, Williams said: "Balls of steel.

"It was such a tough shot [on the blue]. It was probably thinner than it looked. It could've gone in-off, I could've over-cut it. I've just gone for it full-blooded and landed straight on the pink and black."

'I just cannot believe I've seen that' - Higgins with remarkable miss on the blue

Video credit: TNT Sports

Despite the dramatic nature of the match, Williams said nerves did not play a part.

"There wasn't one bit of nerves or shaking, I don't really get that," Williams said. "I just don't know any different, to be honest.

"I didn't think John was going to miss. From 12-8 to 12-12, I'm sat there and haven't done anything wrong really. I was thinking, 'what can I do?'"

In a bid to gee himself up for the final session, Williams turned to another famous Welshman in the shape of Tom Jones.

"I felt drained this morning because we had two tough sessions [on Tuesday]," Williams said.

"I just kept playing Delilah and A Boy From Nowhere by Tom Jones over and over when I was getting ready. I was still playing and singing them in the dressing room just to try and stay with it because it's tough out there, especially the older you get."

Asked about keeping his hopes of a fourth world title alive, Williams said: "I've got to enjoy it because I don't know how many times I'm going to keep coming back here."

'Well spotted!' - Williams penalised for touching the blue with his arm

Video credit: TNT Sports

'I had the chance'

Higgins had words of praise for Williams, and rued a lax safety shot in the final frame.

"I had the chance on the blue," Higgins said. "It was difficult, and you're struggling to see the pockets at the end of the game.

"He potted a great blue, pink, black, so every credit to him. He's a great champion.

"I still felt good going into the last frame. Mark had a great pot and I thought he would do what he always does. Then, I had a chance, but I could only make 30.

"Then, I made a bad safety when I was in control of the frame. I got my chance, but I couldn't take it.

"I've had a good season, the atmosphere out there was incredible, a standing ovation walking in. There's no better place to play, win or lose."

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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