Mark Williams relishing Crucible clash with John Higgins

The masters of the baize have met four times at the home of snooker before, most recently in a 2018 final which ended with Williams lifting his third world title.

The 46-year-old also downed the Scot on his way to glory in 2000, mounting a comeback from 14-10 down in the last four, and set up the latest clash between the pair – which begins tomorrow afternoon – by powering past World Championship debutant Sam Craigie 10-4 in the first round in Sheffield.

Mark Williams in action during day five of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield. Picture date: Wednesday April 21, 2021.

“I’ve been playing him (Higgins) for 30-odd years now, it must be one of the longest rivalries in any sport,” Williams said.

“I get a bit embarrassed about the Class of 92 thing. Ronnie (O’Sullivan) and John are in a different league to me, I’m embarrassed to be mentioned in the same breath as them.

“After Ronnie, John is the second-best player that’s ever lived, there’s no question in my eyes.

“To still be competing with him after all these years is unbelievable and I couldn’t be any more confident.

“I’ve been playing well for a while and I’m looking forward to it. Playing him over three sessions, it doesn’t get any better than that for me.”

Williams lost the first two frames against Tyneside potter Craigie but hit back to win the next four and ended the afternoon session with a slender 5-4 lead.

The Cwm ace pulled clear in the evening session, winning five straight frames, and saved his best until last by sealing the match with a break of 94 to book his place in the last 16.

“I enjoyed it all the way through and I played some good stuff, like I have for a few months now,” he said.

“I can beat anybody, no question, but I’m not going to lie about how much I’m practicing. I’m doing one or two hours a day maximum, which keeps me ticking over.

“That’s enough for me to play to a decent standard. Not brilliant, but decent.

“I don’t worry about doubters anyway but if I ever had any, that last World Championship win must have silenced them.

“I have nothing left to prove, it’s just enjoyment for me now and I’m enjoying every minute of it. The more I’m enjoying it, the better I seem to be playing.”

Williams also blasted a bid to ban his controversial break-off technique.

He adopted the shot, with which he nudges the cue-ball into the back of the reds off the bottom cushion, at the Masters in January after growing frustrated at leaving frame-winning opportunities for opponent Shaun Murphy.

Williams revealed an email had been sent to some of the sport’s leading names by the WPBSA Players’ Association, part of the sport’s world governing body the WPBSA, canvassing opinion on whether the controversial tactic should be prohibited.

Mark Williams in action during day five of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield. Picture date: Wednesday April 21, 2021.

Williams said: “There’s a lot more going on in the world to worry about my poxy break-off. Haven’t they got anything better to do than send emails out asking players if they like it and should it get banned?

“I’ll think of another break-off. Why don’t I just smash it into the pack and leave all the reds on for everyone – would they be happy with that?

“If they ban the break-off they’ve got to ban rolling up behind baulk colours and rolling up behind the black. It’s not an illegal shot and I don’t see the problem with it, it’s farcical.”

The WPBSA confirmed the existence of the email but indicated it was yet to reach the stage of being considered by the organisation’s Rules Committee.

Watch the World Snooker Championship live on Eurosport and Eurosport app from April 17- May 3.