2004 World Snooker Championship

The 2004 World Snooker Championship (also referred to as the 2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 17 April and 3 May 2004 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.

Embassy World Snooker Championship
Tournament information
Dates17 April – 3 May 2004
VenueCrucible Theatre
CitySheffield
CountryEngland
Organisation(s)WPBSA
FormatRanking event
Total prize fund£1,378,920
Winner's share£250,000
Highest break Joe Perry (145)
Final
Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan
Runner-up Graeme Dott
Score18–8
← 2003
2005 →

Mark Williams was the defending champion, but he lost in the second round 11–13 against Joe Perry.

Ronnie O'Sullivan won his second world title by defeating Graeme Dott 18–8 in the final, despite Dott having led 5–0. This was the fourth biggest margin in a World final, subsequently equalled by O'Sullivan against Ali Carter in 2008.[1] The tournament was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy.

Tournament summary
  • Ryan Day was the only debutant this year. Day narrowly lost 9–10 to 1998 champion John Higgins in round one.
  • Chris Small was forced to retire from his first round match against Alan McManus due to pain from a degenerative spinal disease.[2] His condition would later force him to retire from the game permanently.[3]
  • Andy Hicks reached the second round by beating Quinten Hann in a match memorable for a near punch-up between the two players at the end, triggered by Hicks pointing out to Hann that he was likely to drop out of the top 16 as a result of the loss.[4]
  • Barry Pinches reached the last 16 for the first time in his career. defeated Jimmy White 10–8 in a match which overran and had to be completed after other matches. In the second round, he led Stephen Hendry 11–9 before losing a tight match 12–13. The 13-year gap between Pinches' first two Crucible appearances (1991–2004) remains an all-time record.
  • Six seeded players, Stephen Lee; Hann; Steve Davis; Peter Ebdon; Ken Doherty and Jimmy White, lost in the first round. Lee was defeated 7–10 by Lee Walker and Davis lost to Anthony Hamilton by the same score; 1997 champion Doherty was beaten by two-time semi-finalist Joe Swail 6–10 and Ebdon lost 8–10 against Ian McCulloch.
  • Doherty's defeat was the first time he had lost in round one since 1995.
  • O'Sullivan won both his quarter-final and semi-final matches with a session to spare; he defeated Hamilton 13–3 in the last eight.
  • O'Sullivan's 17–4 against Hendry was the biggest ever semi-final victory, replacing Hendry's 16–4 win over Terry Griffiths in 1992.[5]

Prize fund

The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below:[6][7][8]

Main draw

Shown below are the results for each round. The numbers in parentheses beside some of the players are their seeding ranks (each championship has 16 seeds and 16 qualifiers).[6][9][10]

First round Second round Quarter-finals Semi-finals
Best of 19 frames Best of 25 frames Best of 25 frames Best of 33 frames
                           
17 April[11]            
  Mark Williams (1)  10
22, 23 & 24 April[12]
  Dominic Dale  7  
  Mark Williams (1)  11
18 & 19 April[13]
    Joe Perry (16)  13  
  Joe Perry (16)  10
27 & 28 April[14]
  Robert Milkins  7  
  Joe Perry (16)  10
17 & 18 April[15]
    Matthew Stevens (9)  13  
  Matthew Stevens (9)  10
23 & 24 April[16]
  James Wattana  7  
  Matthew Stevens (9)  13
21 & 22 April[17]
    Paul Hunter (8)  12  
  Paul Hunter (8)  10
29, 30 April & 1 May[18]
  John Parrott  7  
  Matthew Stevens (9)  15
20 April
    Graeme Dott (13)  17
  Stephen Lee (5)  7
24, 25 & 26 April[19]
  Lee Walker  10  
  Lee Walker  5
21 April[20]
    David Gray (12)  13  
  David Gray (12)  10
27 & 28 April[21]
  Ali Carter  7  
  David Gray (12)  7
19 & 20 April[22]
    Graeme Dott (13)  13  
  Graeme Dott (13)  10
25 & 26 April[23]
  Mark King  9  
  Graeme Dott (13)  13
18 & 19 April[24]
    John Higgins (4)  10  
  John Higgins (4)  10
  Ryan Day  9  
20 & 21 April[25]            
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)  10
22 & 23 April[26]
  Stephen Maguire  6  
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)  13
17 & 18 April[27]
    Andy Hicks  11  
  Quinten Hann (14)  4
27 April[28]
  Andy Hicks  10  
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)  13
21 & 22 April[29]
    Anthony Hamilton  3  
  Steve Davis (11)  7
23 & 24 April[30]
  Anthony Hamilton  10  
  Anthony Hamilton  13
17 & 18 April[31]
    Joe Swail  11  
  Ken Doherty (6)  5
29, 30 April & 1 May[32]
  Joe Swail  10  
  Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)  17
19 April[33]
    Stephen Hendry (2)  4
  Peter Ebdon (7)  8
25 & 26 April[34]
  Ian McCulloch  10  
  Ian McCulloch  13
17 & 18 April[2]
    Alan McManus (10)  6  
  Alan McManus (10)  10
27 & 28 April[35]
  Chris Small  1  
  Ian McCulloch  3
19 & 20 April[36]
    Stephen Hendry (2)  13  
  Jimmy White (15)  8
24, 25 & 26 April[37]
  Barry Pinches  10  
  Barry Pinches  12
20 & 21 April[38]
    Stephen Hendry (2)  13  
  Stephen Hendry (2)  10
  Stuart Pettman  2  
Final (Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 2 & 3 May 2004.[39] Referee: Paul Collier[40]
Graeme Dott (13)
 Scotland		 8–18 Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)
 England
71–34, 77–9, 108–0, 97–0, 61–0, 0–100, 17–63, 0–87, 0–87, 59–0, 47–64, 0–78, 87–0, 48–68, 1–68, 0–69, 1–71, 0–85, 119–2, 30–76, 43–85, 8–69, 44–91, 13–72, 8–92, 16–88 Century breaks: 2
(Dott 1, O'Sullivan 1)

Highest break by Dott: 106
Highest break by O'Sullivan: 100

 71–34, 77–9, 108–0, 97–0, 61–0, 0–100, 17–63, 0–87, 0–87, 59–0, 47–64, 0–78, 87–0, 48–68, 1–68, 0–69, 1–71, 0–85, 119–2, 30–76, 43–85, 8–69, 44–91, 13–72, 8–92, 16–88
Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the 2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship

Qualifying

The matches were played at Pontin's, Prestatyn Sands in between 10–20 February 2004.[41]

1st Round (Best of 19 frames)

2nd Round (Best of 19 frames)

Rounds 3–6

Round 3 (Best of 19 Frames) Round 4 (Best of 19 Frames) Round 5 (Best of 19 Frames) Round 6 (Best of 19 Frames)
Craig Butler 10–4 Tom Ford Darren Morgan 10–8 Craig Butler James Wattana 10–1 Darren Morgan James Wattana 10–8 Dave Harold
Ian Preece 10–5 Luke Simmonds Dave Finbow 10–9 Ian Preece Brian Morgan 10–9 Dave Finbow Joe Swail 10–3 Brian Morgan
Lee Walker 10–6 Gary Thomson Lee Walker 10–7 Alfie Burden Lee Walker 10–8 Barry Hawkins Lee Walker 10–2 Mark Selby
Peter Lines 10–6 Dave Gilbert Peter Lines 10–4 Nick Walker Nigel Bond 10–6 Peter Lines Ian McCulloch 10–7 Nigel Bond
Rory McLeod 10–3 Jason Prince Rory McLeod 10–5 Bjorn Haneveer Rory McLeod 10–6 Stuart Bingham Robert Milkins 10–1 Rory McLeod
Neil Robertson 10–2 Joe Delaney Neil Robertson 10–4 Rod Lawler Stephen Maguire 10–6 Neil Robertson Stephen Maguire w-o Robin Hull
Simon Bedford 10–6 Liu Song Andy Hicks 10–7 Simon Bedford Andy Hicks 10–4 Jamie Burnett Andy Hicks 10–8 Anthony Davies
Leo Fernandez 10–5 Michael Rhodes Leo Fernandez 10–8 Sean Storey Leo Fernandez 10–9 Gerard Greene Dominic Dale 10–8 Leo Fernandez
Garry Hardiman 10–7 Kwan Poomjang Shokat Ali 10–4 Garry Hardiman Michael Holt 10–6 Shokat Ali Anthony Hamilton 10–9 Michael Holt
Munraj Pal 10- 5 Colm Gilcreest Nick Dyson 10–9 Munraj Pal Nick Dyson 10–4 Gary Wilkinson Ali Carter 10–6 Nick Dyson
Ryan Day 10–0 Tony Jones Ryan Day 10–7 Mike Dunn Ryan Day 10–6 Mark Davis Ryan Day 10–7 Drew Henry
Ricky Walden 10–4 Jason Ferguson David Roe 10–5 Ricky Walden Michael Judge 10–9 David Roe John Parrott 10–9 Michael Judge
Adrian Gunnell 10–5 Joe Meara Adrian Gunnell 10–5 Jimmy Michie Adrian Gunnell 10–7 Fergal O'Brien Mark King 10–8 Adrian Gunnell
Ding Junhui 10–5 Paul Davies Ding Junhui 10–3 Marcus Campbell Barry Pinches 10–7 Ding Junhui Barry Pinches 10–2 Tony Drago
Paul Wykes 10–8 Supoj Saenla Patrick Wallace 10–4 Paul Wykes Patrick Wallace 10–5 Jonathan Birch Chris Small 10–7 Patrick Wallace
Stuart Mann 10–2 Scott MacKenzie Shaun Murphy 10–5 Stuart Mann Stuart Pettman 10–7 Shaun Murphy Stuart Pettman 10–7 Marco Fu

Century breaks

There were 55 centuries in this year's championship. The highest break of the tournament was 145 made by Joe Perry.[7][42][43]

References
  1. Turner, Chris. "World Professional Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  2. Shea, Julian (17 April 2004). "Small pulls out". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  3. "Small forced to give up snooker". BBC Sport. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  4. Tracey, Ted. "SNOOKER: Tempers flare as things get out of Hann". Daily Record on HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  5. Yates, Phil (2 May 2004). "Unstoppable O'Sullivan". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  6. "World Snooker Championship 2004". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  7. "2004 Embassy World Championship". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  8. Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. p. 130.
  9. "2004 World Snooker draw". BBC Sport. 26 April 2004. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  10. Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. pp. 58–59.
  11. Harlow, Phil (17 April 2004). "Williams battles through". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  12. Harlow, Phil (24 April 2004). "Williams crashes out". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  13. Harlow, Phil (19 April 2004). "Perry overcomes Milkins". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  14. Warren, Dan (28 April 2004). "Stevens makes semis". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  15. Harlow, Phil (18 April 2004). "Stevens battles through". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  16. Harlow, Phil (24 April 2004). "Stevens shoots down Hunter". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  17. Harlow, Phil (22 April 2004). "Hunter polishes off Parrott". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  18. Warren, Dan; Jones, Clive (1 May 2004). "Dott into final after epic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  19. Warren, Dan (26 April 2004). "Gray into last eight". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  20. Harlow, Phil (21 April 2004). "Gray ousts Carter". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  21. Warren, Dan (28 April 2004). "Dott eases past Gray". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  22. Harlow, Phil (20 April 2004). "Dott edges out King". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  23. Warren, Dan (26 April 2004). "Dott ends Higgins fightback". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  24. Harlow, Phil (19 April 2004). "Higgins wins thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  25. Shea, Julian (21 April 2004). "O'Sullivan downs Maguire". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  26. Shea, Julian (23 April 2004). "O'Sullivan overcomes Hicks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  27. Shea, Julian (18 April 2004). "Bad-tempered Hann exits". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  28. Jones, Clive (27 April 2004). "O'Sullivan crushes Hamilton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  29. Shea, Julian (22 April 2004). "Hamilton ousts Davis". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  30. Shea, Julian (24 April 2004). "Hamilton stuns Swail". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  31. Shea, Julian (18 April 2004). "Swail overpowers Doherty". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  32. Jones, Clive; Warren, Dan (1 May 2004). "O'Sullivan races into final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  33. Shea, Julian (19 April 2004). "McCulloch stuns Ebdon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  34. Jones, Clive (26 April 2004). "McCulloch seals victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  35. Jones, Clive; Warren, Dan (27 April 2004). "O'Sullivan crushes Hamilton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  36. Shea, Julian (20 April 2004). "White falls to Pinches". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  37. Jones, Clive (26 April 2004). "Hendry wins thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  38. Shea, Julian (21 April 2004). "Hendry races to victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  39. Jones, Clive; Warren, Dan (3 May 2004). "O'Sullivan wins World crown". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  40. Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. p. 143.
  41. "2004 Embassy World Championship Stage 3 Qualifying". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  42. "Crucible Centuries". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  43. Downer, Chris (2012). Crucible Almanac. p. 151.
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