World number five John Higgins says he is hopeful of producing another stirring comeback against Mark Williams in the 2018 World Championship final on Monday. Higgins, who is chasing a fifth world crown, made a dreadful start to the final at the Crucible on Sunday afternoon as Williams, despite getting little rest after his epic semi-final with Barry Hawkins, raced into a 4-0 lead.
The Scottish ace managed to show his grit and determination, just like he did against Kyren Wilson in the last round, to pull himself back into contention and level the scores at 7-7. With just three frames left in the second session, it was a pivotal point of the match and the 42-year-old had chances to move into the lead for the first time in the contest. However, the ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ made some uncharacteristic mistakes when in the balls and Williams, chasing a first title since 2003 and his third overall, pounced on the errors to open up a 10-7 lead.
Monday’s first session on Monday will be massive for both players and Higgins, who has already come through a final-frame decider against Judd Trump earlier in the tournament, is hoping to show his resilience once again. “You’d hope so. But it could go Pete Tong, I’m sure,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “It’s been proved in the quarters and the semi and it’d be great to have that back-up in the final.” The last time these two met in the World Championship was back in the 2011 semi-final, which Higgins won 17-14, and the Scot has won 31 of their previous 55 meetings. Williams, holding that three-frame advantage, is the 1/2 favourite to lift the trophy whilst Higgins is priced at 6/4.
Snooker odds available at Dafabet.