Snooker: Williams wins by a whisker

MARK WILLIAMS pulled off another great escape to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan and reach the final of the Liverpool Victoria Champions Cup in Croydon yesterday.

O'Sullivan was poised to take his place in Sunday's final, but from 56- 1 down in the deciding frame, the Welsh left-hander hit back to sneak through 5-4 by potting the final pink and black.

"Maybe I wasn't destined to win that match," said O'Sullivan, whose final error on the pink cost him the match. Attempting to play a safety shot. He went in-off as the cue ball dropped into the top pocket.

A similar error earlier in the frame had enabled Williams to drag himself back into contention with an invaluable 37 break.

"Twice I played good shots but they ended up working against me," O'Sullivan said. "But that's sport. I'll try not to let it get me down and hopefully bounce back in the next tournament."

Williams can hardly believe he is still in contention for the pounds 175,000 winner's cheque that will only be bettered this season by the top prize at next year's Embassy World Championship.

After his first two group games the world No 3 was bottom of the table without a point to his name. After beating Stephen Lee and Ken Doherty he was back in contention, but it still took Hendry's success over Steve Davis on Wednesday to ensure his semi-final place.

"A lot of results went my way but I played well in my last two matches," Williams said. "I seem to keep using this get out of jail card."

He added: "I was glad to see Ronnie go in-off at the end because I thought I'd blown it when I missed the brown."

Hendry and Higgins meet in the all Scottish second semi-final today.