Ken Doherty is one of many who will be relishing the occasion when John Higgins and Mark Williams meet in the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
In a blockbuster quarter-final lineup in Sheffield, the Irishman thinks that the showdown between the two Class of 1992 members represents the match of the round.
Doherty won the World Championship in 1997 before losing two more finals – in 1998 to Higgins and in 2003 to Williams.
More than two decades later and one of that pair will be back at the single table setup at the Crucible Theatre for another semi-final.
The other quarter-final fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday see seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in action against Si Jiahui, world number one Judd Trump facing Luca Brecel, and comeback kid Zhao Xintong taking on Chris Wakelin.
Yet it’ll be the battle between John Higgins and Mark Williams, who have a combined age of almost 100, that will take the most viewing priority in a lot of people’s eyes.
With more than 60 matches in their head-to-head rivalry dating back to 1994, they have enjoyed several epic occasions – most notably their World Championship final in 2018 that the Welshman pipped 18-16.
“It’s the tie of the round,” Ken Doherty told Gambling.com. “They’ve been at loggerheads since 1992. There’s three of the class of 1992 in the quarter-finals.”
“But the Higgins versus Williams clash, it’s sort of the romance of it all, even after all these years.
“They’re still playing great snooker and still at the top of the game. One of them is going to be in the semi-final, and whoever does get through will have a great chance of winning this championship.
“So it would be an unbelievable story, but I’m just relishing the prospect of them going head-to-head again.
“They had the final in 2018 where it went really, really close, and I think there’s going to be another cracker.
“It’ll be really hard fought and there won’t be much between the two of them. Higgins is probably playing that little bit better than Williams.
“He has better form coming into this tournament. But he had a really hard fought last match as well, as did Williams.
“I’m going to give Higgins the edge slightly, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Williams won it, because he’s such a character.
“He plays down his chances because of his self-deprecating skills, and that he’s still struggling a little bit with his eyes.
“But for a fellow who’s half blind, he’s not doing too bad. It’s going to be a cracker. I’m really, really looking forward to it.
“And I’m sure when both of them come into the arena and onto the Crucible floor, they will get a standing ovation – and they deserve that.
“They got that when they played in the Masters a couple of years ago, and I’m sure the crowd will give it to them again, because they’ve graced that Crucible for over 30 years.
“They’ve both been great ambassadors for the game. This is a moment and match to really relish, savour and just enjoy.
“It doesn’t matter who wins. They’re two of the cleverest players that have ever played the game, two of the greatest breakbuilders and safety players.
“And also two players with unbelievable temperaments, so cool under pressure. [They] have produced their best sometimes when the pressure is at its most intense.
“That’s why they’ve been so successful over the years.”
“It’s a possibility [one of them could win the tournament]. Of all the players in the quarter-finals, Trump is playing the best. But things can change.
“We’re not even halfway through yet. You’re only halfway when you get to the semi-finals, because you’ve got another eight sessions to go.
“It’s incredible, really. This is a marathon of mind, body, and spirit – and obviously skill and talent.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if either of them won. But of all the players I’ve seen play over the last ten days, Trump is playing the best.”
In a race to 13, John Higgins has a 5-3 advantage over Mark Williams at the end of their first session.
For the full 2025 World Snooker Championship draw, results, and schedule, click here.
Featured photo credit: WST
