Ken Doherty has insisted that fatigue was not a factor in his 18-16 loss to Mark Williams last night.
Doherty, who took part in a massive 132 frames during the Embassy World Championship, clawed his way back from a 10-2 deficit to draw level at 16-16 before the Welshman edged over the finishing line 18-16.
But despite having played his part in three matches that went to final-frame deciders in the course of the competition, Doherty said tiredness played no part in his defeat.
"I had some really tough matches but I wouldn't blame tiredness for any part of what happened. There is no question of that," said the Dubliner.
"I didn't play well in the first session and that hurt me but I came back well and thought I was going to win it. I dreamed it was going to happen and it's disappointing.
"But it would have been more disappointing to go out in the first round to Shaun Murphy. That could have happened. I was within a couple of inches of that happening".
Williams admitted he "lost his bottle" before finally recovering to overcome comeback king Doherty and claim his second World Championship crown.
He claimed that only the mid-session interval when the score was 12-12 prevented him from caving in at the hands of Doherty.
Williams admitted: "At 11-8, it was like I was playing with a different hand on the end of my arm. . . . I could feel nothing and I was glad to get out of that session at 12-12".