John Higgins 'heartbroken' after Mark Williams loss but Scot still shows his class

 John Higgins suffered a final-frame defeat against Mark Williams at the World Snooker Championship.

John Higgins was defeated 13-12 by Mark Williams at the World Snooker Championship

John Higgins admitted he was “heartbroken” after suffering a final-frame defeat against Mark Williams at the World Snooker Championship on Wednesday. The Scot forced the match into a deciding frame after fighting back from 12-8 down to level the match at 12-12.

The two players returned to the Crucible to complete their quarter-final encounter, with the scores locked at 8-8 over night. Williams got the upper hand early on as he eased through the first four frames of the day to move to within one frame of victory. But Higgins hit back by rattling off four consecutive frames of his own. The four-time world champion had the chance to win the match in the final frame as he lined up a blue to the corner pocket. But he missed with his attempt as Williams cleared up.

“He potted a great blue, pink and black so every credit to him,” Higgins explained after the match as he spoke to the BBC.

“I still felt good going into the last frame. Mark potted a great long red at the start and I thought he was going to do what he always does, make a break.

“But then I had a golden chance and I could only make 30. It’s understandable at this point of the game. It’s tough. Then I made a bad safety error when I was really in control of the frame and let Mark back in. But then I got my chance and I never took it, so no complaints.”

Higgins then added: “I’ve had a good season and obviously the atmosphere out there, it was incredible. We got a standing ovation again walking in. He’s just pipped me again.

“There’s no better place to play when you win or lose really. Even when I’ve lost, it’s heartbreaking.

“But it’s just one those things. He played amazingly to go 12-8 and then I came back. But he’s a great champion.”