Who will be this season's star player?

It's Ronnie O'Sullivan against Ken Doherty in snooker's UK Championship final at the Barbican Centre, York.

Who will take the spoils?

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan played some sensational snooker to defeat world number one Mark Williams in their semi-final.

The Londoner rattled in three century breaks to overcome the Welshman 9-6, including a 142 clearance in frame seven.

Meanwhile, Ken Doherty fluked a pink to secure a tight victory over Stephen Lee.

Lee staged a fine comeback, but Doherty kept his nerve to prevail 9-7.

But can Doherty stop a rampant O'Sullivan in the final?

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Watching O'sullivan playing at his best is bad advertising for snooker: Who wants to watch a frame after seeing him clearing the table in six minutes? He is the most gifted player by far and recently he has what it takes to beat everybody, anytime. I hope he wins this title and let us enjoy snooker played to perfection.
Philippe, Belgium

As much as we all love the Rocket play, I feel he has crossed the line with his outrageous comments on Peter Ebdon. Ebdon is one of the most exciting players to watch! His sheer will to win, professional dedication and emotional intensity make him stand out amongst the mediocrity of most snooker players' (lack of ) charisma.
Benjamin de Leeuw, Netherlands

Ronnie O'Sullivan is by far the best player that snooker has ever had

Jules, UK

I just saw the piece you did on women's snooker, and I was wondering why the sport is still separated. Why don't women play men? And do the women win less prize money than the men in their games?

Also, a note on the referee of the women's final, Michaela, how anyone who looks like that, bearing as she does more than a passing resemblance to Sandra Bullock, is expecected to remain 'hidden' in the game is anybody's guess.
Dillon, Britain

Ronnie O'Sullivan is by far the best player that snooker has ever had. He is the main reason why I watch this game. I hope he goes on to win this title and many more in years to come.
Jules, UK

People are slating O'Sullivan for his remarks about Ebdon but we should remember that it was Ebdon himself who started it, claiming Ronnie was lucky!
Craig Griffiths, England

Ken Doherty will be this year's star.
Roger, Ireland

I'd love to see the Rocket win, just because he's absolutely amazing to watch when he's playing at his best!

Mathias Eeckhout, Belgium

Nobody's tipped Mark Williams to go all the way. He's still technically number one, and proved why he achieved this in coming back against Hendry. Magic stuff - back at his best towards the end. I now tip him to knock out the Rocket and narrowly beat Lee in the final.
Jon, England

Ronnie's postmatch comments are well out of order. Ebdon is much more the professional than Ronnie. If Ebdon had half Ronnie's talent his much better attitude towards the game and will to win would have seen him depatch with Ronnie easily. The game needs more like Ebdon who cannot always contain his emotion because he has such passion for the game. He is a real asset to snooker.
Stephen, N.Ireland

Surprise, surprise; Lee and Doherty in the semi's. Personally I would like to see Ronnie and Steven meet each other in the second semi, with the form they are both in that would be a major game!
Andre de Groot, The Netherlands

I'd love to see Peter Ebdon win, as his determination and love of the game will keep him one of the hardest opponents around. Good luck Pete.
Ted Piper, England

I'd love to see the Rocket win, just because he's absolutely amazing to watch when he's playing at his best! Go get them Ronnie !
Mathias Eeckhout, Belgium

I hope the Rocket wins because he's the best snooker player around

Aoife, Ireland

Of course, Ronnie O'Sullivan is one of the favourites - although in one-way or another, I'd like to see Peter Ebdon grab the title. I've got a lot of sympathy for this guy.
Sander Koning, Netherlands

As a huge Ronnie fan it is always great to see him play in form, its like watching magic. The fact that he can have his off days when you cringe at some of the shots he plays through frustration only makes him more exciting to watch as you can never be sure what you are going to get. I think his game has matured in the past few seasons and some of his safety play has been amazing, he has the potential to be the best ever if he can keep his head together and enjoy his matches.
Tracey Garland, Australia

I hope the Rocket wins because he is the best snooker player around. Ronnie is the most exciting to watch because he is so unpredictable. Also Ronnie is the best-looking snooker player. Come on the Rocket
Aoife, Ireland

I'd like to see Higgins win it! I think at the moment he's playing better than anybody else and it would be nice to see him win his fourth title of the season. That £100,000 would do nicely for him as well, what with his new baby!

Those sleepless nights are catching up to him. He was looking a bit rough yesterday when he was playing! Good luck John!
Yasmin, England

Stephen Hendry is clearly playing fantastic snooker of late and if he can reach half the standard he set in the nineties he will destroy the rest!

M. Daniel, Wales

I think that John Higgins really is the best player in the world, now that Stephen Hendry has gone off the boil a little. He may not be the best in any one area but his all round game is second to none.

He's already won three tournaments this season, and I can't see any reason for him not to retain his title in York this week. No matter how tough the situation, he always manages to pick the right shot. Amazing!
James Watts, England

Stephen Hendry is clearly playing fantastic snooker of late and if he can reach half the standard he set in the nineties he will destroy the rest!
M. Daniel, Wales

I think Ronnie will go on to win the tournament.
Rob Surfleet, N.E Lincs

I hope O'Sullivan and Doherty play each other in the final. It will bring out the best in both players. But I still hope Doherty will win.
Evert, Netherlands

I hope that the rocket shows his firepower in this year's championship

Harry, England

White will win! He's only got one year left before he retires and he will want to see it out in style.
Graham Davies, England

I think Ronnie may win but I'd like to see Matthew Stevens do well in this year's championship!
Adele, Wales

I have been a fan of Stephen Hendry since 1986 and so I am delighted to see him playing at his best again. This season has been quite successful for him - he reached the last four of the LG Cup and won the European Open last weekend. I'm certain that the win in Malta will be the catalyst for more Hendry silverware. Higgins, O'Sullivan and Co beware - the Wonder Bairn is back!
Dan Cowham, England

I hope that the rocket shows his firepower in this year's championship. Regarding all his ups and downs in his private life I still think that he's the best player in world snooker today. So I wouldn't bet against him winning the tournament and a few more this season, so come on Ronnie show us your magic.
Harry, England

We could have a shock winner in what looks a very open competition

Robert McLean, England

I hope Ronnie O'Sullivan gets it together for this one, its great snooker to watch when he's playing at his best, even for the people who don't support him if there are any. Keep up the work with your fantastic coverage on BBC Sport.
Peter Racknell, England

I know all the smart money will be on O'Sullivan, Williams, Higgins or Hendry. But I think we could have a shock winner in what looks a very open competition. I'd go for Lee or the Whirlwind himself to cause a surprise.
Robert McLean, England

The game has never been so competitive than it currently stands. When you look back to the 80's there was only one man to beat 'Steve Davis'. Then you look at the 90's and it was the turn of 'Stephen Hendry' to dominate the scene. But now there are at least half a dozen players in each tournament who could easily walk away with the title. It's quite simply down to who playing the best snooker 'on the day'.
JB, UK

I think it is going to be a tough one but I would like to see Anthony Hamilton win it.
Dean, England

My tip for the title is Stephen Hendry

John Chapman, England

Look out for the Welsh boys, Mark J Williams and Matthew Stevens, if they hit form they will be simply unstoppable.
Michael Davies, Wales

I think the UK Championship this year will be the most open in recent years. Six players have a realistic chance of winning: Hendry, O'Sullivan, Lee, Ebdon, Higgins and Doherty.

If Stevens, Hunter and Williams perform at a standard we know they are capable of, it will be even more open. My tip for the title is Stephen Hendry because he is fresh from winning in Malta and he thrives on playing in the bigger events.
John Chapman, England

John Higgins is still the inform player this season, but it is very promising to see Stephen Hendry return to winning ways. He is probably the only player who is capable of regaining the no.1 spot in his 30's.

However, snooker these days is unpredictable, with more top quality players than ever before. The top five are the guys to beat - all of them World Champions and not far from top form.
Jim Robinson, Ireland

Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, if they are properly prepared should be the two players to beat this week

David, Scotland

Stephen Hendry must not get too carried away with his marvellous success in the European Open final. There are still too many good players and tough draws around for him to make too many extravagent forecasts.

But at least he's shown that he's too good for that sort of slump to last forever. And it wasn't as though he hasn't been in contention for titles in that time. He's just happened to come up against some fantastic players at the wrong time in their very best form, like Stephen Lee in the LG Cup.

But this success doesn't mean to say he's automatically invincible again and going to go undefeated for the rest of the season. It was, after all, his first ranking title for 27 months so everything must be put into perspective.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, if they are properly prepared should be the two players to beat this week, but at least Hendry's given them both something to think about now.
David, Scotland

I think Stephen Hendry will go back to his old ways soon by winning the European Open in Malta. I would like to see Jimmy White make a mends in the World Championship this year and win it. Remember, he still has the form in him after just beating John Higgins 5-1. Come on Jimmy!
James Fittes, England