John Higgins' sequence of reaching at least the semi-finals of six consecutive ranking events was brought to an end as he fell 5-2 to Mark Williams in the last 16 of the Sanyuan Foods China Open.
Since reaching the final here in Beijing last year, Higgins has won the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship and totesport.com Welsh Open as well as reaching the final of the Pukka Pies UK Championship and semis of the Roewe Shanghai Masters and Grand Prix.
But the Wizard's spell was finally broken by resurgent Williams, who looks to be getting back to his best form after a season outside the top 16. He moved a step closer to his first ranking title since he beat Higgins 10-9 in the final of this event four years ago.
