WILLIAMS WINS THE FIGHT
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Mark Williams lifted the Embassy World Championship crown for a second time on Monday night -
and then admitted "assaulting" his close friend and former snooker pro Ian
Sargeant helped him to finally kill off the challenge of comeback king Ken
Doherty.
Williams admitted that he "lost his bottle" as Doherty stormed back from
10-2 down to draw level at 12-12 with the 2000 world champion.
But hitting his big mate nicknamed 'Sarge' after returning to his hotel
between the afternoon and evening sessions acted as therapy for Williams on his
way to completing a triple crown of UK, Masters and world titles in the same
season.
Williams has joined an elite band as only legends Steve Davis and Stephen
Hendry had previously achieved that feat.
Williams said: "I had a massive lead overnight but I knew he was going to
come back at me and the way he did it was good and strong.
"At one stage I was really worried and at 11-8 it was like I was
playing with a different arm out there.
"I couldn't feel nothing and I was glad to get out of it at 12-12. It could
have been 13-11 and I was glad to get out of it and have a couple of hours'
break.
"Ken has come back and won three times this tournament. I felt bang under
pressure. I can normally handle that but I bottled it when he was coming back.
The interval saved me. If we had carried on I think he would have won.
"I went back to the hotel room with my mate Ian Sargeant, who is up here with
me and had a game of cards and I hit him a few times!
"I really did. He hits me back. He said I was bottling it, get out there and
pot a few balls."
Williams said: "To be world champion again and world number one again is an
amazing feeling. I have won a fair few tournaments this year, got a few ranking
points and am flying."
Doherty admitted: "As long as there is hope you never give up. I have a
phrase 'when you are behind, never give up and when you are in front, never let
up.'
"At 10-2 I looked dead and buried but in the last session I really through I
had a chance. I could see a dream that I was going to win but it was not to be.
"It's been a good tournament and I could have been going home two weeks ago
when I nearly lost to Shaun Murphy. That would have been more disappointing."
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