TWO-TIME Crucible winner Mark Williams is through to the World Snooker Championship second round for the first time since 2012 and admits it is a relief to have got that monkey off his back.

Williams rolled back the years on Sunday night to move 7-2 up against another former champion Graeme Dott and finished the job on Monday afternoon, winning 10-4.

He now goes on to meet the winner of Neil Robertson and Michael Holt, and Williams is delighted not to be hitting the M1 back to Cwm any time soon.

“It's just nice to still be in, said Williams. “Normally I'm driving home by now.

“After losing to Matthew Stevens last year I wanted to do myself justice, so I'm pleased I did that.

“I've pulled some form out there and I need to keep it going now, one game doesn't make much difference.

“This tournament doesn't really start unless you can get to the second week and the only time I see the second week is on the TV, so I want to try and get there.

“I thought I played very well. There were a lot of good breaks, my safety was good and I kept him under pressure.”

Compatriot Ryan Day's chances of joining Williams in round two look slim, however.

The Pontycymer star could do little but sit and admire on Monday morning as John Higgins rattled in three century breaks en route to building a 7-2 overnight lead.

The pair were tied at 2-2 when they left the Crucible arena for the mid-session interval.

But Higgins, a four-time world champion, blew Day away when he won five successive frames.

Higgins constructed breaks of 105 and 79 to take the opening two frames.

But Day, who has reached the last eight three times at the home of snooker, took his chances and levelled the contest at the mid-session interval, with a break of 73 in frame three the high point.

But a quick cup of tea saw Higgins rejuvenated and, having come through three qualifying rounds at Ponds Forge to reach these televised stages, Day was also reduced to the role of spectator.

Higgins and Day resume battle and play to a finish from 2.30pm today.

Watch the World Championship LIVE on Eurosport, with Colin Murray and analysis from Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan.