1994: Hendry beats White in classic

1994: Hendry beats White in classic

White (right) was unlucky once again

When Stephen Hendry slipped in his hotel bathroom and fractured his elbow, many assumed his challenge for the world title would also be shattered.

He had to wear his arm in a sling at all times other than when he was playing and placing his bridge arm for certain shots gave him considerable pain but once again, he emerged as the champion.

Jimmy White again provided the opposition in the final, having beaten Darren Morgan 16-8.

The match went down to a decider at 17-17 with White well placed in the balls before he inexplicably missed a black off its spot and Hendry ruthlessly cleared up to claim his fourth world title.

Hendry's 16-9 semi-final win over Steve Davis had already guaranteed another year as no.1 in the world rankings.

Two former champions, Alex Higgins and Cliff Thorburn, returned to the Crucible for the first time for four years but both lost in the first round.

Higgins picked an argument with the referee John Williams but nevertheless lost 10-6 to Ken Doherty.

Thorburn led Nigel Bond 9-2 before Bond remarkably won the remaining seven frames to prevail 10-9.