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

    Up to 50..

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

    He pots the blue and goes into the pack. The snooker gods are smiling on him and he is on a red. Up to 43. This could be it now.

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

    Williams up to 29. The finish line is in sight. Higgins waits and hopes for another chance.

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

    A chance for the title for Mark Williams. A loose safety from John Higgins. Is this going to be it?

    Remember, Mark Williams nearly quit snooker last year, only to be talked out of it by wife Joanne. It may be the best decision of his life.

  5. 'One of the greatest finals'

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

    Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    What a magnificent performance from Mark Williams. The mental fortitude to not wilt is immense. This is one of the greatest finals we've ever seen. The standard has been fantastic.

    Both players have been very aggressive, there's been very little tip-tap safety. Mark has stayed as positive as possible and that approach could get him over the line.

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

    Every shot John Higgins makes now could well be his last in this year's event.

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

    Mark Williams has won this world title in 2000 and 2003. He could be minutes away from doing it again.

  8. 'Williams finds an extra gear'

    Frame 32: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Stephen Hendry
    Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

    You have to admire the way Mark Williams has played after Higgins levelled this match. He's been so calm and has shown what an incredible temperament he has.

    He's found a gear from somewhere and has eased away again from his opponent.

  9. 100 runs

    Williams one frame from the title with a century

    Frame 32: John Higgins 15-17 Mark Williams (14-100, Williams 100)

    A great time to come up with a huge break. Mark Williams has now won two in a row and is one frame away from becoming a three-time world champion.

    That is his second century of this match for Williams, after an effort of 118 back in frame 15.

    Higgins needs perfection from now on.

  10. Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Double Olympic gold medallist cyclist Geraint Thomas is hoping for good news when his plane lands.

    Geraint Thomas.

  11. Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Williams again has a chance. The break is up to 18.

  12. Get Involved #bbcsnooker

    Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    @michelle83: What a great final this turning out to be. Got to be one of the best matches ever in the world of snooker! Who says it's young man's game? It's a classic.

    JIMMY JUKEBOX: Best Crucible Final since Davis/Taylor. Fight, grit, drama a truly enthralling watch.

    SocialJusticeWorrier: Going to have to catch a flight before this incredible final finishes! Haven't missed one for 20 years. Disastrous holiday planning but what a match!

  13. Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    We are getting into that nervous zone. Mark Williams missed a pink, and now John Higgins, after only scoring 14, misses a red. 14-5

  14. 'Do the easy stuff well'

    Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Stephen Hendry
    Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

    When the pressure is on like this it's about doing the easy stuff well and making sure you don't give your opponent chances.

  15. 'Why they are legends'

    Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Former world champion Shaun Murphy is another watching on with admiration.

    Shaun Murphy.

  16. Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    But a missed pink into the middle sees Williams stutter at the four-point mark. A chance now for Higgins to bring us level for a third time in this final. 0-4

  17. Frame 32: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    A stunning long pot after a tactical battle gives Mark Williams the first chance of what could be the penultimate frame of this match.

  18. Get Involved #bbcsnooker

    Frame 31: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Helen Coles: Come on @markwil147 please win the next 2! I can’t handle a final frame decider.

    Derek Murray: Never been ahead in this @WorldSnooker1 final but at NO POINT could anyone write John Higgins off. That is exactly why he is an awesome competitor and these two legends are serving up a Crucible Classic. What a sport and spectacle! #ilovesnooker

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  19. 'Free of the shackles?'

    Frame 31: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    Sometimes there's less pressure on you when you are so far behind and the player in front has negative thoughts because he's looking at the other player coming at him

    But in a strange way when the other player gets level, Mark is free of the shackles of being the favourite and can relax a little bit and just play again.

  20. 'An incredible final'

    Frame 31: John Higgins 15-16 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Former world champion Peter Ebdon is loving what he is seeing.

    Peter Ebdon.