Stephen Lee

Stephen Lee

Born: 12 October 1974

Nationality: English

Seeded: 7

World ranking: 7

Career earnings: £1,043,881

Ranking points: 35,350

Crucible best: Quarter-finals (1999 & 2002)

Lee may have an innocent look, but no-one should underestimate the killer instinct that lies beneath.

The Wiltshire player turned professional in 1992 after becoming English amateur champion.

However, he took his time before making an impression on the world scene with victory in the 1998 Grand Prix.

He followed that up with a quarter-final appearance in the 1999 World Championship, a feat he matched 12 months ago before losing to Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Lee beat Steve Davis, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Peter Ebdon en route to victory in the 2001 LG Cup, and also claimed the 2002 Regal Scottish.

And his performances last year, when he amassed more ranking points than any other player, earned him the honour of being voted the Snooker Writers Association's Player of the Year.

However, this year he has failed to build on that accolade.

After a last four appearance in the season-opening Regal Masters, he has mustered only three quarter-final appearances to his name.