Williams turns the tables on Higgins

By Geet Sethi

SHEFFIELD, APRIL 30. At 25, Mark Williams has gone through a kaleidoscope of worldly experiences. As a ten-year-old he had seen the stark reality in the inner most recesses of the mine pits where his father worked. As a teenager he indulged in amateur boxing before discovering the wealth of talent for the game, where he is one match away from being crowned champion in the 2000 Embassy World snooker championship. His meteoric rise as a world beater has provided him with all the trappings which go hand in hand with the huge rewards on offer to successful sportsmen.

His favourite pastime nowadays is driving along the Welsh Valleys in a flame red Ferrari, a present he gave himself after winning the Wembley Masters last year. And in the semifinal encounter against John Higgins on Saturday, the talented left- hander exhibited all the qualities of the car, which he finds so endearing.

Williams, already guaranteed the No. 1 spot in next years world rankings, trailed 1998 world champion John Higgins 14-10 coming into the fourth and final session of their best of 33 frame semifinal contest on Saturday night. But the Welshman, who has exhibited his consistency this season by reaching six finals, dug deep to commence a fightback which left his opponent dejected, disheartened and dispirited.

The sheer acceleration and momentum of Williams' response in that crucial final session converted what looked to be a certain victory for Higgins - the bookmakers stopped accepting bets on Higgins after he led 14-10 while Williams odds were 8-1 - into an exciting and nerve-wracking race to the finishing line.

Higgins had ended the penultimate session with a 137, his twelfth century in the competition so far. And with a track record in which he had defeated Williams in ten of their previous thirteen meetings, the psychological advantage was distinctly in his favour. Yet, Williams gave the first indication of pressing his foot on the accelerator with a fluent run of 70 in the opening frame of the fourth session which reduced his arrears to 14-11. But Higgins coolly responded with a typically smooth 75 to lead 15-11. As it were, this was the last frame Higgins was to win in the contest.

Williams' appearance is in sharp contrast to the car he drives. Scruffy, dishevelled and unkempt would be the adjectives used in describing his general appearance. Yet, when it comes to sheer power, his BHP in snooker terms would compare very favourably, if not exceed the Ferrari's.

Williams used this huge reserve of power to initiate a burst which saw him winning six successive frames to win the match 17- 15. He started with a useful effort of 68 and then won two scrappy frames which did not feature any sizeable contribution, yet were underlined by a hint of adventure in shot selection.

Williams shifts gears

The UK Champion had begun shifting gears. He now trailed 15-14. And it was in a vital 30th frame that he provided overwhelming proof of his pedigree and more importantly of his mental fortitude. Higgins was first in with a 55. But the first signs of anxiety soon became visible as he missed a routine red into the centre. At any other time Higgins would almost always have confirmed the frame from that position.

Williams also missed into the centre and unbelievably, Higgins again failed to find the target. Higgins was slowly succumbing to the dreaded `clinchers disease' which so many cueists in the past had fallen and so many in the future will fall victim to. His cue arm felt as heavy as lead. The same player, who had compiled twelve 50 plus breaks in the match so far, occupied pole position in the list of total century breaks in the event and had created a new world championship record of 485 unanswered points, just could not for the life of him, negotiate a simple pot.

``I had my chances but I bottled it. At 15-14 I had my chances but it just wasn't there.'' He was to say later. To make matters worse, as Higgins lost his nerve, Williams became more relaxed and more adventurous in attempting long pots. Williams eventually won the frame with a run of 40 but it was his individual potting, which proved his superiority.

At 15-15, Williams threw all caution to the winds and raced to the finishing line with a performance embellished with artistry, flair and magic. There were numerous pots which provided proof of his genius but in the 30th frame, the last red which he potted into the yellow pocket with the cue ball tight on the top cushion would be the pick of the lot.

With Mathew Stevens having defeated Joe Swail 17-12 in the other semifinal, for the first time in the history of the Embassy World Championship, the final will feature two Welshman. ``It's fantastic to have two Welshman in the final. We're best of mates - but not for the next two days. I can't stand the bloke for two days.'' Williams reflected on the prospect of being engaged with his compatriot in the best of 35 frame final.

The results (semifinals) best of 33 frames:

Mark Williams bt John Higgins 17-15. {92 (87)-1, 47-71 (66), 78 (78)-9, 0-103 (62), 0-102 (52, 50), 70 (69)-4, 34-69, 110 (105)- 0, 77-41, 65-2, 15-70, 60 (60)-7, 78 (78)-0, 12-78 (73), 37-84, 7-69, 36-98 (74), 0-69, 23-79 (60), 31-104 (62), 0-93 (93), 74 (72)-14, 96 (82)-1, 0-137 (137), 70 (70)-48, 4-75 (75), 74 (68)- 24, 56-1, 81-21, 63-62 (55), 79 (54)- 7, 66-47}.

Mathew Stevens bt Joe Swail 17-12. {57-74 (68), 114 (114)-9, 82- 21, 143 (143)-0, 28-73, 78- 29, 5-107 (102), 6-73 (51), 41-67, 78 (78)-14, 110 (110)-0, 101 (80)-9, 75-2, 71 (65)-53 (53), 94 (94)- 0, 32-71, 71-10, 73 (73)- 0, 0-79, 33-65, 13-102 (79), 62-8, 12- 118 (68), 40-70, 44-70, 67 (53)-0, 64-54, 59-1, 64-8}.

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