DIARY

Saturday : First Rounds (15/Apr) *Highlight*
S Hendry 7 - 10 S Bingham P Hunter 4 - 5 J Swail M Williams 5 - 4 J Read M King 4 - 5 D Henry F O'Brien 4 - 4 C Small	It must be the biggest upset as the defending champion crash out in the opening day of the world championship campaign. It happened five times and Stephen Hendry is the last victim. Crucible new boy Stuart Bingham shocked both Hendry and himself with a 10-7 victory. Hendry took a one-frame lead after the first session but a series of brilliant displays from Bingham in the evening session gave himself the most memorable day.
All the remaining matches were very close which might caused by the first day nervous. Joe Swail inched ahead at 5-4, helped by a string of fouls from Paul Hunter, who failed to escape from snooker eight times in the last frame. New world No.1 Mark J Willimas couldn't get rid of John Read due to many unforced errors. Drew Henry got the better of Mark King as he opened up a 5-4 lead. As expected, Fergal O'Brien and Chris Small couldn't finish on time. Their match was forced to end to let the afternoon matches go on.

Sunday : First Rounds (16/Apr) *Highlight*
P Hunter 6 - 10 J Swail M Williams 10 - 4 J Read M King 8 - 10 D Henry F O'Brien 10 - 8 C Small R O'Sullivan 5 - 4 D Gray P Ebdon 4 - 5 D Dale	Mark J Williams became the first seeded player to go through as he eased into second round after winning five successive frames against John Read in today's session. This quick finish gave time for Fergal O'Brien and Chris Small to solve their eight-hour marathon match. In such Snail's pace, they once again postponed their morning session and had to decide the winner till late evening. Qualifier Drew Henry booked a meeting with Williams after beating Mark King while Joe Swail set a new high break target of 141 before sent Paul Hunter home.
After receiving the biggest welcome from the crowd, Ronnie O'Sullivan responded with three century breaks in succession and a close maximum. But he can only managed to lead by one-frame margin at the end of the day after David Gray's fought back. Peter Ebdon also need to fought back from behind to trail Dominic Dale by 5-4 while both players also battle for the best-dressed. Dale, who appeared in a somewhat loud red number last year, chose a lemon shirt this time - while Ebdon dazzled in his star-spangled waistcoat.

Monday : First Rounds (17/Apr) *Highlight*
R O'Sullivan 9 - 10 D Gray A Hamilton 10 - 4 M Fu P Ebdon 6 - 10 D Dale K Doherty 6 - 3 D Morgan M Stevens 7 - 2 T Drago	The shocks continue in Sheffield as crowd favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan crashed out his first round match to world No.60 David Gray. Dominic Dale smoothly moved into second round by beating another top seed Peter Ebdon, while Anthony Hamilton took eight frames in a trot to finish off Hong Kong Macro Fu.
Ken Doherty became the first player to lead more than one-frame margin after the first session, while Matthew Stevens gave Tony Drago a really hard night.

Tuesday : First Rounds (18/Apr) *Highlight*
J Parrott 10 - 9 G Wilkinson K Doherty 10 - 3 D Morgan M Stevens 10 - 2 T Draago S Davis 6 - 0 G Dott S Lee 7 - 2 K Helgason	The 1991 world champion John Parrott came through a marathon battle with Gary Wilkinson to win 10-9 in a classic Crucible clash after trailing 7-9. While the 1997 champion Ken Doherty and Wembley Master Matthew Stevens both had a convincing victory in their first round contest. Doherty saw off Darren Morgan 10-3 and Stevens thumping Tony Drago 10-2.
Old maestro Steve Davis looking great as he lead 6-0 against Graeme Dott. Stephen Lee proved too strong for the debutant Kristjan Helgason from Iceland.

Wednesday : First Rounds (19/Apr) *Highlight*
A McManus 10 - 7 N Bond S Davis 10 - 6 G Dott S Lee 10 - 3 K Helgason J White 4 - 5 B Snaddon J Higgins 5 - 4 D Harold	Six times champion Steve Davis had to battle hard to maintain his 6-0 first session lead to win his first round encounter with Graeme Dott. But he was then accused of purpose slow play. Stephen Lee had an easy win follow by the 7-2 overnight lead. He send Iceland's Kristjan Helgason home by 10-3. Alan McMause recovered form the 5-4 first session adrift to beat Nigel Bond 10-7.
John Higgins compiled the only centuries in these two days but only lead Dave Harold by 5-4. Jimmy White had a warm welcomed from the crowd but trailed Billy Snaddon 5-4.

Thursday : First Rounds (20/Apr) *Highlight*
J White 10 - 7 B Snaddon J Higgins 10 - 8 D Harold	David Harold almost made another upset while he pushed John Higgins to the limit before the title-favourite took the final step into the second round. Crowd favorite Jimmy White overcame his flu and overturned the 5-4 overnight deficit to beat Scot Billy Snaddon.

Thursday : Second Rounds (20/Apr) *Highlight*
M Williams 5 - 3 D Henry D Dale 7 - 1 D Gray	In the first of the second round matches, Mark J Williams was given a tough challenge by qualifier Drew Henry before ending the first of three sessions with a 5-3 lead. Another Welshman Dominic Dale had a perfect start after commanding 7-1 lead over David Gray after their first second-round session.

Friday : Second Rounds (21/Apr) *Highlight*
M Williams 13 - 9 D Henry D Dale 13 - 1 D Gray J White 11 - 5 S Bingham S Lee 3 - 5 F O'Biren	Third seed Mark J Williams was made to work hard for his victory over Drew Hnery. While fellow Dominich Dale cruised past David Gray with a record-equalling victory.
Only reaching the second round yesterday, Jimmy White is now on the driving seat to reach a quarter-final spot after leading Sturat Bingham 11-5. While Fergal O'Brien hold a two frames lead over Stephen Lee.

Saturday : Second Rounds (22/Apr) *Highlight*
J White 13 - 9 S Bingham S Lee 8 - 13 F O'Brien K Doherty 5 - 3 A Hamilton J Parrott 5 - 3 J Swail	Despite some delays from Stuart Bingham's late fight-back, Jimmy White moved into the last eight for the 15th time in his 20 appearances in Championship. While Fergal O'Brien ended sixth seed Stephen Lee's champion hope.
Ken Doherty was in superb form against Anthony Hamilton as he took a two-frame lead lead while John Parrott is having a tough battle against Joe Swail.

Easter Sunday : Second Rounds (23/Apr) *Highlight*

J Parrott 9 - 7 J Swail J Higgins 6 - 2 S Davis K Doherty 7 - 9 A Hamilton A McManus 2 - 6 M Stevens

John Higgins matched this year's joint highest break on a day which produced no reaults but two other centuries. The second seed notched up his second 141 of the tournament, which has also been reached by Joe Swail, as he took charge against Steve David. John Parrott had earlier fired a 102 and kept ahead of Swail. Ken Doherty made a 118, but ended the night trailing Anthony Hamilton, while Matthew Stevens is four frames up on Alan McManus.

Easter Monday : Second Rounds (24/Apr) *Highlight*

J Parrott 12 - 13 J Swail J Higgins 13 - 11 S Davis K Doherty 12 - 13 A Hamilton A McManus 4 - 13 M Stevens

The second round was completed on day ten which saw three former champions go out in one upset and two tense finales and a rising star win conclusively. John Higgins ended the hopes of six-time title holder Steve Davis in a tense final session. Anthony Hamilton won another thrilling encounter to beat Ken Doherty while Joe Swail fought back to upset John Parrott. Matthew Stevens sparkled as he beat Alan McManus with ease though.

Tuesday : Quarter Finals (25/Apr) *Highlight*
M Williams 12 - 4 F O'Brien D Dale 6 - 10 J Swail J Higgins 5 - 3 A Hamilton M Stevens 5 - 3 J White	It's the first day of this year's quarter-final contests. Mark J Williams was in magnificent form against Fergal O'Brien and led 12-4 overnight. John Higgins was also in good mood as he ended the afternoon 5-3 ahead of Anthony Hamilton. Matthew Stevens opened up a 5-3 lead over Jimmy White in a fine match while Joe Swail holds a 10-6 advantage over Dominic Dale.

Wednesday : Quarter Finals (26/Apr) *Highlight*

M Williams 13 - 5 F O'Brien D Dale 9 - 13 J Swail J Higgins 13 - 3 A Hamilton M Stevens 13 - 7 J White

John Higgins looks to have found his form at exactly the right time after reeling off eight frames in a row to secure his place in the semi-finals. The Scot produced exhilarating snooker to thrash Anthony Hamilton 13-3 and now faces Mark J Williams in a repeat of their semi-final clash last year. Williams completed victory over Fergal O'Brien while Joe Swail beat Dominic Dale to continue his great adventure. Matthew Stevens makes up the last four after knocking out Jimmy White.

Thursday : Semi Finals (27/Apr) *Highlight*

M Stevens 4 - 4 J Swail M Williams 4 - 4 J Higgins

Both semi-finals were level at 4-4 after their first sessions on an action-packed Thursday at The Crucible. The crowd were treated to snooker of great quality from Mark J Williams and John Higgins as the pair speeding through their eight frames in style. With both men in such good form, the match could not be more evenly poised. Matthew Stevens' 143 was one of three high-class centuries in his battle with Joe Swail but the Ulsterman clung on well to recover from 3-1 down.

Friday : Semi Finals (28/Apr) *Highlight*

M Stevens 13 - 11 J Swail M Williams 8 - 8 J Higgins

Both semi-finals are still very much in the balance. Matthew Stevens dominated the morning session but Joe Swail fought back in the evening session to trail only 11-13. Mark J Williams had a early lead but an out-of-sorts Higgins managed to level 8-8.

Saturday : Semi Finals (29/Apr) *Highlight*

M Stevens 17 - 12 J Swail M Williams 17 - 15 J Higgins

After fifteen days of contest, there is only two player left tonight. John Higgins had a good start this morning and took the 14-10 lead, but Mark J Williams made a magnificent fight back in the evening session to see off title-favorite John Higgins. Matthew Stevens couldn't find the fluent he showed in the past few day, but still held his nerve to take the other spot of this year's final. It means there will be a new champion for the 25th anniversary of the Embassy World Championship and the first Welsh champion since Terry Griffiths in 1979.

Saturday : Final (30/Apr) *Highlight*

M Stevens 10 - 6 M Williams

Matthew Stevens holds a 10-6 lead over fellow Welshman Mark J Wiliams after a fascinating first two sessions. Stevens had started the better of the two but Williams fought back with his highest break of the tournament, a 123, as the first eight frames were shared. Sunday evening however belonged to the younger Welshman, Stevens dominating in an incredibly assured manner. Back-to-back centuries put him 9-4 up and though Williams recovered towards the end, it was certainly Stevens' day.

Monday : Final (1/May) *Highlight*

M Stevens 16 - 18 M Williams

Mark J Williams is the first Welsh world champion since Terry Griffiths in 1979 after he triumphed 18-16 over Matthew Stevens in a classic Crucible final. Williams was 13-7 down at one stage but fought back in the afternoon and also began the evening well too draw level with his impressive young compatriot. Stevens went ahead with a stunning 120 but the pair continued trading frames until Williams broke clear at 17-16. Staying remarkably cool, he took his chance and completed a magnificent win.