Mark Williams beats John Higgins in tense decider to reach Crucible semi-finals

Mark Williams (left) and John Higgins (right) have seven world titles between them (Danny Lawson/PA)

Mark Williams held off a superb fightback from fellow former winner John Higgins to triumph in a last-frame decider and reach his eighth World Championship semi-final at the Crucible.

The veteran duo, who have won seven world titles between them, were locked at 8-8 at the end of their second session before Williams put himself on the brink by taking all four frames on Wednesday’s resumption.