Summary

  • Wales' Mark Williams wins third world title at age 43

  • Williams beats John Higgins 18-16 in classic final

  • Oldest champion since 45-year-old Ray Reardon in 1978

  • As promised attends news conference naked apart from a towel

  • Williams won his other world titles in 2000 and 2003

Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Frame 34: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Now 61 the lead.

  2. Frame 34: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    It has been a final they walk talk about for years to come. Williams up to 53, only a few more needed. 0-54.

  3. Frame 34: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Williams up to 45. Will it be this time?

  4. Frame 34: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    He missed a glorious chance in frame 33, but Williams is in world championship-winning position again in frame 34. He is up to 36.

  5. Frame 34: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    We continue, amazingly.

    Into frame 34 and Mark Williams again has another chance. A lovely pot into the middle. He is up to 25, again the finish line is in sight.

  6. Watch: 'Would you believe it?' - Williams misses pink to win Championship

  7. Get Involved #bbcsnooker

    Frame 34: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Marcel Eckardt: That's why we love this game! ... what an unbelievable final.

    cuz1970: Seen lot of great finals this is definitely in top three brilliant stuff.

  8. 'Best final ever'

    Frame 33: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    This is the best final ever. Higgins has the heart of a lion but will Williams get a better chance than that to win the title?

  9. 'A stunning clearance'

    Frame 33: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    John Parrott
    1991 world champion on BBC Two

    I've seen thousands and thousands of matches but never one like this. It's incredible.

    Williams was one pink away from winning the world title and every time he makes a mistake Higgins comes in an makes a stunning clearance.

  10. 'What bottle'

    Frame 33: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Stephen Hendry
    Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

    Under this pressure to save your world title bid, this has been an incredible clearance from John Higgins. What bottle he has.

  11. Higgins clearance in an amazing frame

    Frame 33: John Higgins 16-17 Mark Williams (65-63, Higgins 65, Williams 63)

    Mark Williams was shooting for the world title. We can't overstate that enough.

    All he had to do was roll the pink ball in and the title was his.

    He misses it, and John Higgins, under incredible pressure, makes a break of 65 to take the clearance. That is the third time he has stolen a frame on the black in this final.

  12. The pink drops in, and the black. Higgins has saved himself in the most dramatic of circumstances.

  13. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    There goes the brown, and the blue for Higgins.

  14. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Higgins fights back. Four colours remain.

  15. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Higgins is making Williams sweat in this frame. Perfect so far from Higgins, now up to 33. He has to stay perfect or it is all over.

  16. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Will that pink be playing on Mark Williams' mind? It wasn't just a shot for the match, it was a shot for the world title. Higgins up to 24 in response. 24-63

  17. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    BUT WAIT!

    Williams misses the pink. That would have left Higgins needing snookers. One last chance for Higgins, who is 0-63 behind.

    'Would you believe it?' - Williams misses pink to win Championship

  18. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    There goes another red, a huge cheer.

  19. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    And another red and another blue. He is sprinting to the line. 0-62. Higgins needs a miracle.

  20. Frame 33: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Down goes the red, down goes the blue. 56, a few more and Williams is the champion.