Mark Williams makes superb Crucible comeback to set up close World Championship finale against Judd Trump

By Ben Parsons at the Crucible

Mark Williams made a thrilling fightback to narrowly trail Judd Trump 13-11 in an absorbing World Championship semi-final.

The left-handed duo were both in excellent form on Friday evening as Williams showed incredible resilience to battle back from a 12-5 deficit.

In a high-quality third session, both players shared superb century breaks as attacking play reigned at the Crucible.

Williams had trailed 7-1 in a first session dominated by 2019 champion Trump.

The Welshman had previously admitted to fatigue after a gruelling last-eight battle against Yan Bingtao, and faltered early in the marathon best-of-33 semi-final.

The first eight frames on Friday morning were then shared as Trump maintained a six-frame advantage at 11-5 with breaks of 119, 52 and 70.

But inspired Williams responded superbly by winning six of the final seven frames on Friday evening to reduce the deficit to two.

The three-time champion fired a magnificent 137 break and is now just two behind Stephen Hendry’s record of 16 centuries in one World Championship.

Further runs of 57 and 77 left Williams two frames behind before Trump reasserted his control with his third century of the match.

But Williams sealed a nervy final frame to set up a tantalising final session on Saturday afternoon.

He claimed nine of the final 13 frames and has the momentum in the race to 17.

Should Williams complete the comeback, he will overturn the biggest semi-final deficit in the illustrious 45-year history of the Crucible.

Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan stole a dramatic last frame on the re-spotted black to lead his semi-final 10-6 against John Higgins.

The Class of 92 duo were level at 6-6 in the interval of their second session, but the Rocket soared into the lead with a scintillating four-frame blitz.

Higgins will rue missing a regulation black to leave O’Sullivan needing snookers in Friday's final frame, as his opponent magically cleared up to force a re-spot.

Six-time champion O'Sullivan then held his nerve to pot the black and extend his advantage to four frames.

O'Sullivan and Higgins resume on Saturday morning and are due to play to a finish in the evening session.