‘Balls of steel’ – Mark Williams makes bold statement after stunning World Snooker Championship win

Three-time Crucible winner Mark Williams claimed he has ‘balls of steel’ after his close call win against John Higgins in the quarter finals.

This match was arguably the tournament's most awaited match this year as the pair have won seven world titles between them.

The session was tied at 8-8 but when it resumed Williams was off to a quick start, taking all four frames on Wednesday’s resumption.

But Higgins proved why he is one of the best snooker has seen, earning breaks of 94,114 and 67 to force a decider.

But Higgins missed a blue on the cushion which opened the window for Williams to earn a semi-final ticket.

He sealed a 13-12 victory, putting him two wins away from claiming his first world title since 2018, the year the Welshman beat Higgins 18-16.

“Unbelievable game, unbelievable finish. The blue I played was probably one of my best shots for many years,” Williams told BBC Sport.

“What a blue... balls of steel. It was tough a shot. I could have gone in-off. I could have over cut it. I just went for it full-blooded.

“There was not one bit of nerves, maybe I've only had them a handful of times in my entire career.”

Wednesday’s win means Williams has beaten rival Higgins in five of their six meetings, his first loss being a decider at the 1996 Crucible.

“I was poor the first four frames, but after the interval I had nothing to lose and played maybe the best four-frame burst of the whole event,” said the Scot.

“I had my chance. If I pot the brown and roll through, maybe the blue is unmissable, but you are under that much pressure.

“It was an incredible atmosphere. I am devastated right now but the atmosphere we got in there is why we keep playing the game.”

Williams will face either Luca Brecel or world number one Judd Trump in the semi-finals.

On the other side of the bracket, Ronnie O’Sullivan, who is going for a record eighth world title is facing Si Jiahui.

The veteran O’Sullivan led the 22-year-old after their first session on Tuesday afternoon 6-2.

He now holds the advantage at 10-6 after Wednesday’s morning session.