CWM’S Mark Williams was denied a potential third Welsh Open title by Ben Woollaston as Cardiff saw final frame drama in Saturday’s second semi final.

Woollaston will now play John Higgins in Sunday’s final as he chases a first ranking victory.

The first session went the way of the Englishman with Woollaston opening up a 3-1 advantage.

This was unchartered territory for a player who has risen to 36 in the world rankings and the Leicester man will have rued the interval where Williams hit the practice table where he clearly rediscovered his touch.

Williams rapidly earned parity before Woollaston took a 4-3 lead with a break of 90.

And when two turns at the table yielded 85 without reply, the 27-year old looked destined for a first senior final appearance, against a man with 25-ranking title victories to his name, John Higgins.

However, Williams, from Cwm, has been in inspired form this week and held his nerve and used all his experience to reel off two tight frames, Woollaston suddenly and perhaps understandably nervous at key moments.

Smart safety play set up a deciding 11th frame and it was Woollaston who took it, a brave break of 60 sending him to a final with Higgins.

Williams v Woollaston, 6-101 (82), 45-57, 70-3, 1-75 (75), 98-7 (88), 79-61 (Woollaston 53), 17-98 (90), 0-85, 101-7 (50), 77-58, 0-90 (60)