SHEFFIELD, England, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Mark Williams beat four-time winner John Higgins 18-16 to win his third World Championship title at Crucible here on Monday.

Williams, who led 15-10 before the night's fourth session, fought off a brilliant rally from Higgins, who had won five frames in a row to level the score at 15-15.

The 43-year-old became the first left hander to win the world title in 2000 and took his second in 2003.