John Higgins was holding back tears after an epic battle with Mark Williams at the Crucible, but not because of the nerve-shredding defeat. The Scot lost 13-12 to his old rival, missing a brilliant chance to win the classic contest but missing the final blue.

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The BBC has enraged snooker fans by cutting its live coverage of the epic quarter-final clash between Mark Williams and John Higgins. In what proved a match for the ages at the Crucible, Williams, 50, prevailed 13-12 to become the oldest player in history to make the semi-finals of the World Championship.