Peter Ebdon has beaten seven-time champion Stephen Hendry 18-17 after an enthralling final at the Embassy World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield. Tied at 14-14 at the mid-session interval, Hendry edged in front before Ebdon fought back and won the next two frames to go one ahead.
Hendry won the 32nd frame to even it up yet again but a break of 85 brought Ebdon within one frame of becoming World Champion for the first time. He then looked in good shape to close out the match but an error-strewn frame was eventually won by Hendry to bring an enthralling match down to the wire.
The last frame saw Ebdon take a commanding lead before a break came to an end. Hendry was then unlucky to see the white go in after trying a safety shot and that was enough to let Ebdon in for the deciding visit to bring an end to a fantastic final and a magnificent championship.
Earlier today, Hendry had breathed new life into his challenge by winning the third session 6-2 to level the match at 12-12. The Scot set a new tournament record for centuries with his 15th of the 2002 finals in the second frame of the session.
Hendry beat the achievement of fellow Scot John Higgins, who had chalked up 14 hundreds in 1998. He had trailed Ebdon 10-6 overnight in the best of 35 contest, but levelled the match by winning six of the eight frames of the third session this afternoon. Ebdon started the day favourite after his impressive performance on Sunday as Hendry struggled with his long potting game on the opening day.
But Hendry showed he was far from finished with that record-breaking century, which was also the 65th in total in the 2002 championships. Whatever the shortcomings of his long game to date in this final, Hendry maintained excellent control of the cue ball in chalking up his history making ton.
Then he extended the record to 16 centuries in the next and reached his own 100 mark with a clearance to the final yellow of 108. The final frame before the interval was a scrappy affair and lasted nearly 28 minutes, but a run of 33 helped Hendry to win his third on the trot. The Scot then came within one of Ebdon before the lead was stretched to two with two to play. Hendry took the next with breaks of 36 and 46 and a last frame break of 93 brought Hendry on level terms.
Crucible Result:
Stephen Hendry 17-18 Peter Ebdon
Filed by James Shortt and Tom Grealis
