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 29: John Higgins 14-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    John Higgins edged out Judd Trump 13-12 in the quarter-finals, are we going to see another final-frame decider today?

  2. Don't go anywhere

    Frame 29: John Higgins 14-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    We have a maximum of six frames left in this year's World Championship. Remember, 18 is the target so Mark Williams needs three, John Higgins needs four.

  3. 'Williams will need smelling salts'

    Frame 29: John Higgins 14-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    From 14-7 behind John Higgins has been fantastic. Mark Williams hasn't done a lot wrong but he'll need smelling salts after that.

    You need a good temperament and good people in the dressing room to help you after a barrage like that.

  4. Get Involved #bbcsnooker

    Frame 29: John Higgins 14-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Ian Emery: Absolute humdinger of a snooker final going on. Higgins was dead and buried at 7 frames down at one point. Now it's one frame in it. Utterly engrossing, and fantastic quality snooker to boot.

    Danny Bott: What an evening of snooker we have on our hands here. #Higgins - hats off for this comeback, world class! Roll on the last session. It’s what a bank holiday Monday is all about.

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  5. Only one in it now

    Frame 29: John Higgins 14-15 Mark Williams (91-0, Higgins 47 and 39)

    Remember when Mark Williams was 14-7 up? We were researching the biggest margins of victory in a World Championship final. That seems a long, long time ago now.

    John Higgins has won seven of the eight frames since and is only one behind going into the mini-interval. Breaks of 47 and 39 takes him to 14-15.

    Higgins will be wishing they were not stopping.

    Williams has never been behind in this final, but has to gather his thoughts now.

  6. Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Mark Williams is a man under pressure now. Given half a chance, he misses a red and Higgins aims to wrap up another one.

  7. Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Higgins can only make a break of 47 and holds a lead of 52 with six reds on the table. Williams has led in both the last two and lost the frame, now he is hoping to do the opposite.

  8. Get Involved #bbcsnooker

    Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Scott Roberts: Shaping up to be one of the greatest finals ever.

    Richard Taylor: The young pups can take some thing from this match tonight.

    Glen Foster: I don't think I've ever seen a player play as well as Higgins is playing tonight. Amazing stuff.

  9. Watch: Higgins makes 'unusual plant'

    Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Another shot for you to enjoy again. This one from earlier on in this frame from John Higgins to get himself going.

  10. 'No-miss snooker'

    Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Dennis Taylor
    1985 world champion on BBC Two

    Mark Williams has done precious little wrong this evening. It's just that John Higgins is playing no-miss snooker. (44-0)

  11. Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Higgins, aiming to win his fourth frame of the evening, is at the table and holds a 30-0 lead, with a promise of plenty more points on offer.

  12. Get Involved #bbcsnooker

    Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Even those without tickets are watching on outside the Crucible.

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  13. Frame 29: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Into frame 29, and the players will be taking a mini-break at the end of this frame. Williams won all four frames of the first mini-session in the afternoon, he has lost all three in the first mini session of the evening.

  14. 'Like the Terminator'

    Frame 28: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    The relentlessness of someone coming at you all the time: John Higgins is like the Terminator.

    TerminatorGetty Images

  15. 'This is phenomenal'

    Frame 28: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    John Parrott
    1991 world champion on BBC Two

    You cannot play better than John Higgins is playing. He's had to come from behind in all three frames he's won this evening and some of the shots he's played have been amazing.

    The heat was turned up right on him but he's got better under that pressure. I should never have doubted him. This is phenomenal. What a final they have put on.

  16. Get Involved #bbcsnooker

    Frame 28: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Tom Oates: John Higgins and Mark Williams being in the #bbcsnooker final has given me hope that maybe it’s not too late for me to marry @taylorswift13, be an astronaut, and live in a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

    Ryan Clark: Higgins is playing with absolute perfection tonight. Still backing Mark but he just can't be making mistakes tonight.

    Matthew Reaks: Absolutely incredible start from Mr Higgins. We really do have a final on our hands now! Three frames won in less than 45 minutes. A century and two frames won from 58 and 47 behind. Stunning!

  17. Higgins wins third frame in a row

    Frame 28: John Higgins 13-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    He only needs the blue, Higgins keeps going up to the black anyway. Another clearance, this one of 82 and he has played three, won three tonight. Flawless so far from Higgins.

    Nervous moments for Williams?

    The stats are great for Higgins. That's six of the last seven won for the Scot, and breaks of 67, 72, 80, 131, 67 and 82 in those frames.

    But Williams still has the stat that matters, the 15-13 lead.

  18. Frame 28: John Higgins 12-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Higgins needs up to the blue. He is on the yellow.

  19. Frame 28: John Higgins 12-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Another one that got away for Williams? Higgins takes the lead in the 28th frame after Williams faltered on 47. 48-47

  20. Frame 28: John Higgins 12-15 Mark Williams (first to 18)

    Williams has 47 on the board, the follow-up Higgins break is now up to 39.