One of greatest moments in the Crucible’s history: Stephen Hendry wins 7th World Championship title
England’s Crucible Theatre has seen many great moments of snooker history, but Stephen Hendry’s record seventh world title win in 1999 is considered one of the greatest moments in the history of the game.
The Master Class, Stephen Hendry, might not be in the best of his form these days, but just a few years ago, he was unstoppable.
The legendary Stephen Hendry won his first world title in 1990 to become the youngest world champion in history. He lost the following year’s title to John Spencer, but dominated the next five in a row. He was also a finalist in the year after that, but lost 12-18 to Ken Doherty that year. By then, Hendry was sharing the world record for most world titles with Steve Davis.
1999 World Snooker Championship:
Hendry played exceptionally well in the World Snooker Championship 1999. In the first round, he was up against rising star the late Paul Hunter, who died in 2006 due to stomach cancer. Hendry was trailing 8-7 before winning the game 10-8.
The dangerous Thai-Poon, James Wattana, was his second round opponent. He gave the Thai a tough time as the scores were 7-7 before Hendry roared back and took the next six frames straight to win 13-7.
Talented Welshman Matthew Stevens came across Hendry in the quarterfinal and was outplayed by a frame score of 13-5 before the match of the tournament against Ronnie ‘The Rocket’ O’Sullivan.
The 1999 World Champion semi-final was described by BBC commentator Clive Everton as “snooker from gods.”
It was a magnificent play from both snooker geniuses. Hendry made three centuries whereas Ronnie responded with two. But the second century made by Ronnie was not only a century rather was an attempt for the maximum where he missed the last pink after doing all the hard work. The 1999 semi-final is also remembered for the famous £147,000 pink miss.
Both players were at the top of their games. In the end, the game came down to a test of nerve and Hendry is famous for playing excellently under pressure. And it was proved as Hendry mattered and went through 17-13 to the final.
Hendry’s final was against Welsh potting machine Mark J Williams, who had won three ranking titles that season.
Hendry outplayed Williams in the first four frames before Williams clawed back, but eventually it was the Scotsman who won the game with a frame score of 18-11 to end the 1990s as he had begun it – as the king of the snooker world.
The 1990s era was ruled by Stephen Hendry and no one came even near him when it came to the game of snooker. At his best, he was the best.
Stephen Hendry has won more of what counts in the modern era than anyone else.
That night by winning the 1999 world championship Stephen Hendry confirmed his status as the greatest snooker player who ever lived.
Stephen Hendry also surpassed his joint-held record with Steve Davis and became the only player to win seven world titles in snooker. His record and complete dominance of the game earned him the nickname ‘King of the Crucible’.
Tags: