2009 World Snooker Championship

Last updated

Betfred.com World Snooker Championship
World Snooker Championship 2015 Logo.png
Tournament information
Dates18 April – 4 May 2009 (2009-04-18 2009-05-04)
Venue Crucible Theatre
City Sheffield
CountryEngland
Organisation WPBSA
Format Ranking event
Total prize fund£1,111,000
Winner's share£250,000
Highest breakFlag of Scotland.svg  Stephen Hendry  (SCO) (147)
Final
ChampionFlag of Scotland.svg  John Higgins  (SCO)
Runner-upFlag of England.svg  Shaun Murphy  (ENG)
Score18–9
2008
2010

The 2009 World Snooker Championship (officially the 2009 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship) was a professional snooker tournament. It was held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, the 33rd consecutive year that the World Snooker Championship was staged at the venue. It took place between 18 April 2009 and 4 May 2009. The eighth and final ranking tournament of the 2008–09 snooker season, it was organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association and sponsored for the first time by online betting shop Betfred. The total prize fund was £1,111,000, of which the winner received £250,000.

Contents

The qualifying rounds took place from 26 February to 4 March and from 8 to 10 March 2009 at the English Institute of Sport. The 16 qualifiers and the top 16 players from the snooker world rankings reached the tournament's main stage at the Crucible. Ronnie O'Sullivan was the defending champion, having defeated Ali Carter 18–8 in the 2008 final. He lost in the second round to Mark Allen.

John Higgins won his third world title by defeating Shaun Murphy 18–9 in the final. It was his 20th ranking title. A total of 83 century breaks were compiled during the event's main stage, the highest being a 147 made by Stephen Hendry. It was the highest number until 2015. Another 69 century breaks were made during the qualifying rounds.

Overview

Organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, the 2009 tournament was sponsored by online betting shop Betfred for the first time. [1]

Prize fund

The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below: [2] [3]

Tournament summary

First round

The first round was played between 18 and 23 April as the best of 19 frames held over two sessions . [4] The defending champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, made breaks of 61, 140, 104, 73, 78, 94, 100 and 97 for a 105 victory against Stuart Bingham, although he rated his performance with a five out of ten. [5] Six-time world champion Steve Davis qualified for the World Championship for a record-extending 29th time, but he was defeated 210 by Neil Robertson, who notched a century break of 135 in the process. [6] Clive Everton, writing for The Guardian , hinted that this could be Davis's last appearance at the Crucible. [6] "To me it's not about going out in style. I've gone past that. I'm going down the wall hanging on by my fingernails", said Davis. [6] In a duel between two former world champions, Stephen Hendry won 107 over Mark Williams, who had to have his cue stick repaired in the middle of the match. [7]

There were four debutants at the Crucible in this edition—Rory McLeod, Martin Gould, Andrew Higginson and Ricky Walden—and they were all defeated in the first round. McLeod, who became the first-ever black player to play at the Crucible, [8] lost 510 to Mark King. [9] Gould defeated the 2000 and 2005 runner-up, Matthew Stevens, in the qualifiers to earn a place at the Crucible, [10] but he could not make it past Mark Allen, who knocked him out in the first round with a 106 result. [11] Allen, semi-finalist of the 2008 Bahrain Championship during the season, produced a half-century of 88 in the last frame. [11] As he went into his first-round match against Higginson, Shaun Murphy, the 2005 winner, was threatened by his wife to be presented with the divorce papers at the Crucible. [12] [13] Higginson took the lead at 65 at the beginning of the second session, but Murphy prevailed with a 108 result despite the personal issues. [12] [13] Walden, champion of both the invitational 2008 Six-red Snooker International and the ranking 2008 Shanghai Masters earlier in the season, lost 610 to Mark Selby, runner-up in 2007. [14] Selby made three centuries in the second session to seal victory. [15]

Stephen Maguire compiled breaks of 98, 96, 101, 122, 79 and 127 for a 105 defeat of Jamie Burnett. [16] A few months earlier, at the 2008 UK Championship, the game between both players, which also went Maguire's way, was investigated after there were allegations of match fixing, but neither of the players was charged. [16] Marco Fu constructed three centuries en route to a 104 victory over Joe Swail. [13] John Higgins, world champion in 1998 and 2007, fell 24 behind Michael Holt during the first session, but he only conceded one more frame as he completed the comeback for a 105 win. [17]

Only two out of the sixteen seeded players lost their first round matches. Peter Ebdon lost 5–10 against Nigel Bond, while Joe Perry lost 6–10 against Jamie Cope.

In September 2013 Stephen Lee was found guilty of conspiring to lose his first round match 4–10 against Ryan Day, [18] for which as part of other offences Lee received a 12-year ban and was ordered to pay £40,000 in costs. [19]

Second round

The second round of the event was played as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions, between 23 and 27 April. [4]

Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals of the event were played as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions, between 28 and 29 April. [4]

Semi-finals

The semi-finals were played as the best of 33 frames, held over four sessions, between 30 April and 2 May. [4]

Both semi-finals featured impressive comebacks from the eventual losers. Allen came back from a 3–13 deficit against Higgins to 12–15 before losing the match 13–17. [30] In a similar manner, Robertson brought a 7–14 deficit back to 14–14 in his match against Murphy, but lost the final three frames. [31]

Final

The final was played as a best-of-35-frames, held over four sessions on 3 and 4 May, between Higgins and Murphy. [4]

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). [40] [41] The draw for the televised stage of the World Snooker Championship was made on Wednesday, 11 March 2009 at 9:45 a.m. GMT on Radio Sheffield. [42]

First round
Best of 19 frames
Second round
Best of 25 frames
Quarter-finals
Best of 25 frames
Semi-finals
Best of 33 frames
Final
Best of 35 frames
18 April
Flag of England.svg Ronnie O'Sullivan (1)10
23, 24 & 25 April
Flag of England.svg Stuart Bingham 5
Flag of England.svg Ronnie O'Sullivan (1)11
19 & 20 April
Ulster Banner.svg Mark Allen (16)13
Ulster Banner.svg Mark Allen (16)10
28 & 29 April
Flag of England.svg Martin Gould 6
Ulster Banner.svg Mark Allen (16)13
21 April
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ryan Day (8)11
Flag of England.svg Peter Ebdon (9)5
24 & 25 April
Flag of England.svg Nigel Bond 10
Flag of England.svg Nigel Bond 5
22 April
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ryan Day (8)13
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ryan Day (8)10
30 April 1 & 2 May
Flag of England.svg Stephen Lee 4
Ulster Banner.svg Mark Allen (16)13
22 & 23 April
Flag of Scotland.svg John Higgins (5)17
Flag of Scotland.svg John Higgins (5)10
25, 26 & 27 April
Flag of England.svg Michael Holt 5
Flag of Scotland.svg John Higgins (5)13
20 & 21 April
Flag of England.svg Jamie Cope 12
Flag of England.svg Joe Perry (12)6
28 & 29 April
Flag of England.svg Jamie Cope 10
Flag of Scotland.svg John Higgins (5)13
18 & 19 April
Flag of England.svg Mark Selby (4)12
Flag of Scotland.svg Graeme Dott (13)10
26 & 27 April
Flag of England.svg Barry Hawkins 8
Flag of Scotland.svg Graeme Dott (13)10
19 & 20 April
Flag of England.svg Mark Selby (4)13
Flag of England.svg Mark Selby (4)10
3 & 4 May
Flag of England.svg Ricky Walden 6
Flag of Scotland.svg John Higgins (5)18
21 & 22 April
Flag of England.svg Shaun Murphy (3)9
Flag of England.svg Shaun Murphy (3)10
24 & 25 April
Flag of England.svg Andrew Higginson 8
Flag of England.svg Shaun Murphy (3)13
20 April
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Marco Fu (14)3
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Marco Fu (14)10
28 & 29 April
Ulster Banner.svg Joe Swail 4
Flag of England.svg Shaun Murphy (3)13
20 & 21 April
Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Hendry (6)11
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Junhui (11)10
23 & 24 April
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Liang Wenbo 8
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ding Junhui (11)10
18 & 19 April
Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Hendry (6)13
Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Hendry (6)10
30 April 1 & 2 May
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Williams 7
Flag of England.svg Shaun Murphy (3)17
18 & 19 April
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Neil Robertson (10)14
Flag of England.svg Ali Carter (7)10
25, 26 & 27 April
Ulster Banner.svg Gerard Greene 5
Flag of England.svg Ali Carter (7)8
21 & 22 April
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Neil Robertson (10)13
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Neil Robertson (10)10
28 & 29 April
Flag of England.svg Steve Davis 2
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Neil Robertson (10)13
18 & 19 April
Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Maguire (2)8
Flag of England.svg Mark King (15)10
26 & 27 April
Flag of England.svg Rory McLeod 6
Flag of England.svg Mark King (15)6
22 & 23 April
Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Maguire (2)13
Flag of Scotland.svg Stephen Maguire (2)10
Flag of Scotland.svg Jamie Burnett 5
Final (Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 3 May & 4 May 2009. Referee: Michaela Tabb
John Higgins (5)
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
18–9 Shaun Murphy (3)
Flag of England.svg  England
83–0, 85–6, 79–20, 7–83, 50–96, 4–114, 49–63, 69–34, 98–1, 12–87, 70–51, 95–11, 70–45, 132–0, 82–0, 128–6, 64–42, 0–91, 60–49, 76–43, 28–70, 49–79, 94–26, 80–59, 106–21, 0–78, 105–0Century breaks: 3
(Higgins 2, Murphy 1)

Highest break by Higgins: 128
Highest break by Murphy: 109

83–0, 85–6, 79–20, 7–83, 50–96, 4–114, 49–63, 69–34, 98–1, 12–87, 70–51, 95–11, 70–45, 132–0, 82–0, 128–6, 64–42, 0–91, 60–49, 76–43, 28–70, 49–79, 94–26, 80–59, 106–21, 0–78, 105–0
Flag of Scotland.svg John Higgins wins the 2009 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship

Preliminary qualifying

The preliminary qualifying rounds for the tournament took place on 25 February 2009 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. (World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association members not on The Tour.) [43] [44]

Round 1

Flag of Ireland.svg Bill Kelly1–5 Flag of India.svg David Singh
Flag of England.svg Neil Selman5–3 Flag of England.svg Paul Cavney
Flag of England.svg Barry Stark5–3 Flag of England.svg Les Dodd
Flag of England.svg Stephen Ormerod5–0 Flag of England.svg Christopher Flight
Flag of England.svg Del Smith5–0 Flag of England.svg Adam Osbourne
Flag of England.svg Phil Seaton5–2 Flag of England.svg Philip Minchin
Flag of England.svg Ali Bassiri1–5 Flag of England.svg Tony Knowles

Round 2

Flag of England.svg Colin Mitchell5–1 Flag of India.svg David Singh
Flag of England.svg Neil Selman5–1 Flag of England.svg Barry Stark
Flag of England.svg Stephen Ormerod1–5 Flag of England.svg Del Smith
Flag of England.svg Phil Seaton2–5 Flag of England.svg Tony Knowles

Qualifying

The qualifying rounds 1–4 for the tournament took place between 26 February and 4 March 2009 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. The final round of qualifying took place between 8 and 10 March 2009 at the same venue. [43] [44]

Round 1

Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Li Hang 10–2 Flag of England.svg Colin Mitchell
Ulster Banner.svg Declan Hughes wd–wo Flag of England.svg Neil Selman
Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris McBreen 10–8 Flag of England.svg Del Smith
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Stefan Mazrocis 9–10 Flag of England.svg Tony Knowles

Rounds 2–5

Round 2
Best of 19 frames
Round 3
Best of 19 frames
Round 4
Best of 19 frames
Round 5
Best of 19 frames
Flag of England.svg Matthew Couch 10 Flag of England.svg Andrew Norman 4 Flag of England.svg John Parrott 3 Ulster Banner.svg Joe Swail 10
Flag of England.svg Michael Georgiou 8 Flag of England.svg Matthew Couch 10 Flag of England.svg Matthew Couch 10 Flag of England.svg Matthew Couch 1
Flag of England.svg Lee Spick 10 Flag of England.svg Barry Pinches 5 Flag of England.svg Adrian Gunnell 2 Flag of England.svg Steve Davis 10
Flag of England.svg Stephen Craigie 5 Flag of England.svg Lee Spick 10 Flag of England.svg Lee Spick 10 Flag of England.svg Lee Spick 8
Flag of England.svg Jimmy White 10 Flag of England.svg Andy Hicks 10 Flag of England.svg Rory McLeod 10 Flag of England.svg Ian McCulloch 7
Flag of Ireland.svg Vincent Muldoon 8 Flag of England.svg Jimmy White 8 Flag of England.svg Andy Hicks 8 Flag of England.svg Rory McLeod 10
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Daniel Wells 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Preece 9 Flag of Scotland.svg Marcus Campbell 9 Flag of England.svg Barry Hawkins 10
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Li Hang 9 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Daniel Wells 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Daniel Wells 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Daniel Wells 9
Flag of Thailand.svg Supoj Saenla 10 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Liu Song 10 Ulster Banner.svg Gerard Greene 10 Flag of Ireland.svg Ken Doherty 5
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Liu Chuang 5 Flag of Thailand.svg Supoj Saenla 9 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Liu Song 6 Ulster Banner.svg Gerard Greene 10
Flag of Scotland.svg Scott MacKenzie 9 Flag of Ireland.svg Joe Delaney 10 Flag of England.svg Judd Trump 10 Flag of England.svg Stephen Lee 10
Flag of England.svg Wayne Cooper 10 Flag of England.svg Wayne Cooper 8 Flag of Ireland.svg Joe Delaney 1 Flag of England.svg Judd Trump 8
Ulster Banner.svg Patrick Wallace 10 Flag of England.svg Mark Joyce 6 Flag of England.svg Tom Ford 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Williams 10
Flag of England.svg Neil Selman2 Ulster Banner.svg Patrick Wallace 10 Ulster Banner.svg Patrick Wallace 8 Flag of England.svg Tom Ford 5
Flag of England.svg Matthew Selt 10 Flag of England.svg Rod Lawler 10 Flag of England.svg Ricky Walden 10 Flag of England.svg Anthony Hamilton 5
Flag of Scotland.svg Robert Stephen 3 Flag of England.svg Matthew Selt 5 Flag of England.svg Rod Lawler 1 Flag of England.svg Ricky Walden 10
Flag of Scotland.svg James McBain 10 Flag of Ireland.svg David Morris 10 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Liang Wenbo 10 Flag of England.svg Dave Harold 3
Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris McBreen 2 Flag of Scotland.svg James McBain 3 Flag of Ireland.svg David Morris 8 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Liang Wenbo 10
Flag of England.svg Simon Bedford 10 Flag of England.svg David Roe 7 Flag of Scotland.svg Jamie Burnett 10 Flag of Ireland.svg Fergal O'Brien 6
Flag of England.svg David Grace 6 Flag of England.svg Simon Bedford 10 Flag of England.svg Simon Bedford 8 Flag of Scotland.svg Jamie Burnett 10
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jamie Jones 10 Flag of England.svg Robert Milkins 7 Flag of England.svg Andrew Higginson 10 Flag of Ireland.svg Michael Judge 4
Flag of Thailand.svg Atthasit Mahitthi 9 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jamie Jones 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jamie Jones 8 Flag of England.svg Andrew Higginson 10
Flag of England.svg Lewis Roberts 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Paul Davies 10 Flag of England.svg Jimmy Michie 6 Flag of England.svg Jamie Cope 10
Flag of India.svg Aditya Mehta 8 Flag of England.svg Lewis Roberts 7 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Paul Davies 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Paul Davies 5
Flag of England.svg Kuldesh Johal 8 Flag of England.svg David Gray 8 Flag of England.svg Mike Dunn 10 Flag of England.svg Nigel Bond 10
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jin Long 10 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jin Long 10 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jin Long 7 Flag of England.svg Mike Dunn 7
Flag of England.svg Peter Lines 10 Flag of England.svg Mark Davis 10 Flag of England.svg Michael Holt 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dominic Dale 7
Flag of England.svg Andy Lee 8 Flag of England.svg Peter Lines 6 Flag of England.svg Mark Davis 9 Flag of England.svg Michael Holt 10
Flag of England.svg Paul Davison 5 Flag of England.svg Stuart Pettman 10 Flag of Scotland.svg Alan McManus 10 Flag of England.svg Stuart Bingham 10
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Andrew Pagett 10 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Andrew Pagett 3 Flag of England.svg Stuart Pettman 8 Flag of Scotland.svg Alan McManus 6
Flag of Ireland.svg Rodney Goggins 10 Flag of England.svg Martin Gould 10 Flag of England.svg Dave Gilbert 8 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Matthew Stevens 4
Flag of England.svg Tony Knowles 4 Flag of Ireland.svg Rodney Goggins 7 Flag of England.svg Martin Gould 10 Flag of England.svg Martin Gould 10

Century breaks

This is complete list of century breaks scored in both the qualifying and the televised stages. [45]

Televised stage centuries

There were 83 century breaks in the televised stage of the World Championship, a new record beating 2002's and 2007's 68; this record was surpassed in 2015.[ citation needed ]

Qualifying stage centuries

There were 69 century breaks in the qualifying stage of the World Championship:[ citation needed ]

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