2008 World Snooker Championship

The World Snooker Championship is an annual cue sport tournament and the official world championship of the game of snooker.{{Cite web |title=Why Sheffield truly is the 'home of snooker' as World Championship gets underway |work=The Star |date=18 April 2019 |access-date=1 May 2020 |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/other-sport/why-sheffield-truly-home-snooker-world-championship-gets-underway-39926}} Founded in the late 19th century by British Army soldiers stationed in India,{{cite web |url=http://www.snookerheritage.co.uk/normans-articles/days-of-old/origins-of-snooker/ |title=Origins of Snooker |first=Peter |last=Clare |year=2008 |work=Billiard & Snooker Heritage Collection |access-date=8 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103150005/http://snookerheritage.co.uk/normans-articles/days-of-old/origins-of-snooker/ |archive-date=3 January 2017}} the sport became popular in Great Britain.Everton, Clive (1991). Snooker and Billiards: Techniques, Tactics and Training (Crowood Sports Guides). The Crowood Press. Chapter 1. {{ISBN|978-1-85223-480-5}} In modern times it has been played worldwide, especially in East and Southeast Asian nations such as China, Hong Kong and Thailand.{{cite web |title=The Rise Of China – World Snooker |website=World Snooker |access-date=13 March 2019 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/the-rise-of-china/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419145915/http://www.worldsnooker.com/the-rise-of-china/ |archive-date=19 April 2018 |url-status=dead |date=26 February 2018}} The 2008 event was sponsored by 888.com.

In the 2008 tournament, 32 professional players competed in one-on-one snooker matches played over several {{cuegloss|frames}}, using a single-elimination tournament format. The 32 players were selected for the event using the snooker world rankings and a pre-tournament qualification competition. In 1927, the first world championship was won by Joe Davis. The event's final took place in Camkin's Hall, Birmingham, England.{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Chris |title=World Professional Championship |url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |work=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive |access-date=9 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724180133/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |archive-date=24 July 2011}}{{cite web |title=1927 World Professional Championship |url=http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/27world.htm |website=globalsnookercentre.co.uk |access-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010103752/http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/27world.htm |archive-date=10 October 2004}} Since 1977, the event has been held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.{{National Heritage List for England|num=1392311|desc=The Crucible Theatre|access-date=3 December 2013}} The event was organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.{{Cite web |title=World Snooker Championship Betting Tips & Odds Guide (2020) |last=Digital |first=TLC |website=ThePuntersPage.com |access-date=15 April 2020 |url=https://www.thepunterspage.com/world-snooker-championship-betting-guide/ |archive-date=4 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004184718/https://www.thepunterspage.com/world-snooker-championship-betting-guide/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |title=The Economics of Sports Broadcasting |isbn=9781134325603 |via=Google Books |access-date=28 June 2020 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=60R-AgAAQBAJ&q=2005+world+snooker+championship+broadcaster&pg=PR22 |last1=Gratton |first1=Chris |last2=Solberg |first2=Harry Arne |date=11 June 2007 |publisher=Routledge |archive-date=11 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811205442/https://books.google.com/books?id=60R-AgAAQBAJ&q=2005+world+snooker+championship+broadcaster&pg=PR22 |url-status=live}} The defending champion was Scottish player John Higgins, who had defeated Mark Selby 18–13 in the previous year's final.{{cite news |title=Higgins beats brave Selby in epic |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6633177.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=3 October 2011 |date=8 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423181807/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6633177.stm |archive-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live}}

The 2008 World Snooker Championship took place from 19 April to 5 May 2008 in Sheffield, England. The tournament was the last of seven ranking events in the 2007–08 snooker season on the World Snooker Tour.{{cite web |title=The 2007/2008 Season |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/ |website=Snooker.org |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-date=27 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327150714/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/ |url-status=live}} It featured a 32-player main draw held at the Crucible Theatre, as well as a qualifying draw that was played at Prestatyn Sands Pontin's from 6 to 11 January. This was the 32nd consecutive year that the tournament had been staged at the Crucible.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_history-23.htm |title=History |work=World Snooker |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625054148/http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_history-23.htm |archive-date=25 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}

The top 16 players in the latest world rankings automatically qualified for the main draw as seeded players.{{cite magazine |title=2008 World Snooker Championship |magazine=Snooker Scene |issue=April 2008 |author=Everton, Clive}}{{efn|In the event of the defending champion being ranked outside the top 16, he would replace the player ranked world number 16 as an automatic qualifier.}} John Higgins was seeded first overall as the defending champion, and the remaining 15 seeds were allocated based on the latest world rankings. The number of frames required to win a match increased throughout the tournament. The first round consisted of best-of-19-frames matches, and the final match was played over a maximum of 35 frames. All 16 non-seeded spots in the main draw were filled with players from the qualifying rounds. The event was broadcast by the BBC and Eurosport in Europe.

The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below:{{cite web |title=World Snooker Championship 2008 |url=http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-archive-world-snooker-championship-history-2008.asp |website=global-snooker.com |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310181516/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-archive-world-snooker-championship-history-2008.asp |archive-date=10 March 2011}}{{cite book |last=Downer |first=Chris |title=Crucible Almanac |year=2012 |page=130}}

{{Col-begin|width=100%}}

{{Col-break|width=25%}}

• Winner: £250,000
• Runner-up: £125,000
• Semi-final: £52,000
• Quarter-final: £22,000

{{Col-break|width=25%}}

• Last 16: £14,000
• Last 32: £10,600
• Last 48: £7,400
• Last 64: £4,500

{{Col-break|width=50%}}

• Stage one highest break: £1,000
• Stage two highest break: £10,000
• Stage one maximum break: £5,000
• Stage two maximum break: £147,000
• Total: £1,050,000

{{Col-end}}

The first round was played between 20 and 24 April as the best of 19 frames, held over two {{cuegloss|sessions}}. Defending champion John Higgins defeated Matthew Stevens 10–5,{{cite web |last=Casey |first=Phil |title=Higgins wary of Stevens threat |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker/08/04/18/SNOOKER_World_Nightlead.html |work=Sporting Life |access-date=15 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629174316/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker/08/04/18/SNOOKER_World_Nightlead.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead}} but the 2007 runner-up Mark Selby was knocked out by qualifier Mark King 10–8.{{cite news |last=Roopanarine |first=Les |title=King reigns supreme as Selby makes early exit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/22/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2011 |location=London |date=22 April 2008 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227040607/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/22/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=King |first=John |title=Red has Matt feeling blue |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20080420/ai_n25350507/ |work=Sunday Mirror |via=Find Articles |access-date=15 March 2011 |date=20 April 2008 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813121913/https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js |url-status=dead}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|fix-attempted=yes}} Ding Junhui's 10–9 victory over Marco Fu was his first ever win at the Crucible.{{cite web |title=Ding Junhui |url=http://content.betfred.com/snooker/players/ding-junhui/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715111448/http://content.betfred.com/snooker/players/ding-junhui/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2012 |website=betfred.com |access-date=3 October 2011}} Stephen Maguire took the first eight frames of his first-round match against Anthony Hamilton, before Hamilton won frame nine. Maguire won the match 10–3. Three players were making their debuts at the event; Jamie Cope,{{cite web |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Higgins shrugs off early nerves to thwart Stevens' fightback |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-higgins-shrugs-off-early-nerves-to-thwart-stevens-fightback-812092.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421063313/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-higgins-shrugs-off-early-nerves-to-thwart-stevens-fightback-812092.html |url-status=live |archive-date=21 April 2008 |work=The Independent on Sunday|date=20 April 2008 |access-date=12 March 2025}} Liu Chuang{{cite web |title=End Of The World For White |url=http://www.global-snooker.com/global-snooker-news-end-of-the-world-for-white-110309.asp |website=global-snooker.com |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711101210/http://www.global-snooker.com/global-snooker-news-end-of-the-world-for-white-110309.asp |archive-date=11 July 2011}} and Liang Wenbo.{{cite web |title=Liang stuns Doherty; Liu hangs on |url=http://www.china.org.cn/sports/news/2008-04/25/content_15014364.htm |date=25 April 2008 |website=china.org.cn |publisher=China Internet Information Center |access-date=15 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209102805/http://china.org.cn/sports/news/2008-04/25/content_15014364.htm |archive-date=9 February 2011 |url-status=live}} One of the three debutants, Wenbo, progressed to the second round as he defeated Ken Doherty 10–5. The defeat caused Doherty to drop out of the top 16 of the world rankings for the first time since the 1992–93 season.{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Liang downs off-form Doherty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/24/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2011 |location=London |date=24 April 2008 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227040636/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/24/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker |url-status=live}} Cope lost in a {{cuegloss|deciding frame}} to Peter Ebdon, despite having led 5–2 earlier in the match.{{Cite web |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Ebdon prevails in the end but Cope contributes to enthralling contest |work=The Guardian |date=21 April 2008 |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/21/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship |url-status=live |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227040332/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/21/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship}}

The second round was played from 24 to 28 April as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions. Defending champion Higgins was defeated by Ryan Day 9–13. This was the first time Day had progressed to the quarter-finals at the event.{{cite news |last=Yates |first=Phil |title=Cut of the cloth leaves Higgins out and angry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/27/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2011 |location=London |date=27 April 2008 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227040830/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/27/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker |url-status=live}} Ronnie O'Sullivan made a maximum break against Mark Williams in the final frame of his 13–7 win.{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=O'Sullivan hits maximum to complete win |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/28/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2011 |location=London |date=28 April 2008 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227040909/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/28/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |url-status=live}} The achievement made O'Sullivan the first player to have scored three 147s at the venue. Williams, ranked 12th in the world before the tournament, fell out of the top 16 after his second-round loss.{{cite web |title=World Rankings 2008/2009 |url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0809/ranking.asp |website=Snooker.org |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404201411/http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0809/ranking.asp |url-status=live}} Hendry reached the quarter-finals for the 17th time in his career, after a 13–7 win over Ding Junhui.{{cite web |last=Yates |first=Phil |title=Steady approach gets Stephen Hendry to last eight |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/steady-approach-gets-stephen-hendry-to-last-eight-nj0qdvhrvcn |work=The Times |access-date=12 March 2025 |date=28 April 2008 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312124011/https://www.thetimes.com/article/steady-approach-gets-stephen-hendry-to-last-eight-nj0qdvhrvcn |archive-date=12 March 2025}} Maguire also won the first eight frames of his second-round clash with Neil Robertson, which he won 13–7. Leading 12–10, Liang Wenbo punched the air in celebration as he potted {{cuegloss|match ball}}. However, his opponent, Joe Swail earned the {{cuegloss|snookers}} he required to win the frame and also won the next to force the match into a deciding frame. Swail missed a {{cuegloss|brown ball}}, allowing Wenbo to win the match 13–12. Afterwards, Swail complained bitterly that in the final frame the referee had incorrectly replaced the cue ball after calling a miss, giving Liang an easier escape from a snooker. He also accused Liang of unprofessional conduct for not pointing out the referee's mistake.{{cite news |title=Liang edges out Swail in classic |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7370116.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 March 2011 |date=28 April 2008 |archive-date=9 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509015703/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7370116.stm |url-status=live}}

File:Ronnie O'Sullivan PHC 2011-2 cropped.png (pictured in 2011) won his third World Championship.]]

The quarter-finals were played on 29 and 30 April as the best of 25 frames held over three sessions.{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_drawsheet-86.htm |title=Drawsheet/ Results |work=World Snooker |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711230005/http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_drawsheet-86.htm |url-status=dead}} Carter made a maximum break in his 13–9 win over Ebdon.{{Cite web |title=Carter seals semi-final place |website=RTÉ.ie |date=30 April 2008 |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2008/0430/231184-worldchampionship/ |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001141139/http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2008/0430/231184-worldchampionship/ |url-status=live}} His opponent came very close to a maximum of his own just a frame earlier, but narrowly missed the 15th black. Just minutes before, on the other table, Stephen Hendry attempted a maximum of his own but also missed the 15th red.{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Carter's 'pure adrenaline rush' takes him to a maximum |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/30/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2011 |location=London |date=30 April 2008 |archive-date=11 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211144046/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/30/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |url-status=live}} Hendry reached the 12th Crucible semi-final of his career after a 13–7 win over Day, setting a record for one-table appearances that still stands.{{cite web |title=O'Sullivan joins Carter, Perry and Hendry in semi-finals |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/o_sullivan_joins_carter_perry_and_hendry_in_semi_finals_1_2498482 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=29 April 2008 |access-date=15 March 2011 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011162331/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/o_sullivan_joins_carter_perry_and_hendry_in_semi_finals_1_2498482 |url-status=dead}} Wenbo was the first player from mainland China to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championship, but he lost 7–13 to O'Sullivan. Perry defeated Maguire 13–12 on a deciding frame.{{Cite web |title=Maguire regrets discounting Perry |website=RTÉ.ie |date=1 May 2008 |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2008/0501/231207-worldchampionships/ |archive-date=3 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003213420/http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2008/0501/231207-worldchampionships/ |url-status=live}}

The semi-finals were played from 1 to 3 May as the best of 33 frames. After tying the first session 4–4, O'Sullivan completed an 8–0 whitewash over Hendry in their second session and won the first frame of session three, meaning that O'Sullivan had won twelve consecutive frames from 1–4 down to 13–4 in front. At one stage in the match, O'Sullivan had scored 448 points without reply. This was the first time Hendry had lost every frame in a full session at the Crucible.{{cite news |title=O'Sullivan sends Hendry reeling |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/may/02/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker2 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2011 |location=London |date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916015023/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/may/02/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker2 |url-status=live}} O'Sullivan won the match 17–6 with a {{cuegloss|Session to spare|session to spare}}.{{cite web |last=Humphries |first=Adrian |title=Snooker: Brilliant Rocket 7–1 to win with a session to spare |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Snooker%3A+Brilliant+Rocket+7-1+to+win+with+a+session+to+spare%3B+888.com...-a0178582479 |work=Racing Post |via=TheFreeLibrary.com |date=4 May 2008 |access-date=15 March 2011 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023104225/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Snooker:+Brilliant+Rocket+7-1+to+win+with+a+session+to+spare%3B+888.com...-a0178582479 |url-status=dead}} Carter reached his first ranking final by defeating Perry 17–15.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7378823.stm |title=Carter holds nerve to make final |date=3 May 2008 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122185339/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7378823.stm |url-status=live}}

The final was played on 4 and 5 May between O'Sullivan and Carter. Both finalists were English for the first time since the 1991 event, when John Parrott defeated Jimmy White 18–11.{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Chris |title=World Professional Championship |url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416080933/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |archive-date=16 April 2013 |work=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive |access-date=15 March 2011}} O'Sullivan led 11–5 after the first day's play and won the match 18–8. This was O'Sullivan's third World Championship win, as he joined Steve Davis and Hendry in having won more than two world titles at the Crucible; it was the 20th ranking title of his professional career.{{cite web |title=O'Sullivan completes world hat-trick |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_news%28id19403%29-86.htm |work=World Snooker |date=5 May 2008 |access-date=7 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508143840/http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_news%28id19403%29-86.htm |archive-date=8 May 2008 |url-status=dead}} In post-match interviews, both players admitted to not having played particularly well, with O'Sullivan commenting "Ali and I are disappointed not to put on a better performance". Carter's performance was described as "jaded".{{cite news |title=O'Sullivan wins third world title |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7383131.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 March 2011 |date=5 May 2008 |archive-date=9 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509032742/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7383131.stm |url-status=live}} The win also gave O'Sullivan the top spot in the world rankings.{{Cite web |title=O'Sullivan top of the world |work=World Snooker |date=5 May 2008 |access-date=16 May 2008 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_news(id19405)-86.htm |archive-date=16 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516062955/http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_news(id19405)-86.htm |url-status=dead}}

Shown below are the results for each round. The numbers in parentheses beside some of the players are their seeding ranks.{{cite web |title=888.Com World Championship 2008 |url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=242 |website=snooker.org |access-date=13 March 2025 |archive-date=2 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202115418/https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=242 |url-status=live}}

{{32TeamBracket-Info|paramstyle=numbered

| RD1 = First round
Best of 19 frames

| RD2 = Second round
Best of 25 frames

| RD3 = Quarter-finals
Best of 25 frames

| RD4 = Semi-finals
Best of 33 frames

| RD5 = Final
Best of 35 frames

|19 April|{{flagicon|SCO}} John Higgins (1)|10 |{{flagicon|WAL}} Matthew Stevens|5

|20 & 21 April|{{flagicon|WAL}} Ryan Day (16)|10 |{{flagicon|IRL}} Michael Judge|6

|22 April|{{flagicon|PRC}} Ding Junhui (9)|10 |{{flagicon|HKG}} Marco Fu|9

|20 & 21 April|{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Hendry (8)|10 |{{flagicon|NIR}} Mark Allen|9

|23 & 24 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)|10 |{{flagicon|PRC}} Liu Chuang|5

|21 & 22 April|{{flagicon|WAL}} Mark Williams (12)|10 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Davis|3

|19 & 20 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Stephen Lee (13)|4 |{{flagicon|NIR}} Joe Swail|10

|23 April|{{flagicon|IRL}} Ken Doherty (4)|5 |{{flagicon|PRC}} Liang Wenbo|10

|22 & 23 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Shaun Murphy (3)|10 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Dave Harold|3

|19 & 20 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ali Carter (14)|10 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Barry Hawkins|9

|21 & 22 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Selby (11)|8 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Mark King|10

|19 & 20 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Peter Ebdon (6)|10 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Jamie Cope|9

|19 & 20 April|{{flagicon|AUS}} Neil Robertson (7)|10 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Nigel Bond|4

|23 & 24 April|{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Maguire (10)|10 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Anthony Hamilton|3

|21 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Steve Davis (15)|8 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Stuart Bingham|10

|22 & 23 April|{{flagicon|SCO}} Graeme Dott (2)|7 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Joe Perry|10

|24, 25 & 26 April|{{flagicon|SCO}} John Higgins (1)|9 |{{flagicon|WAL}} Ryan Day (16)|13

|25 & 26 April|{{flagicon|PRC}} Ding Junhui (9)|7 |{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Hendry (8)|13

|26, 27 & 28 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)|13 |{{flagicon|WAL}} Mark Williams (12)|7

|27 & 28 April|{{flagicon|NIR}} Joe Swail|12 |{{flagicon|CHN}} Liang Wenbo|13

|25 & 26 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Shaun Murphy (3)|4 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ali Carter (14)|13

|24 & 25 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Mark King|9 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Peter Ebdon (6)|13

|26, 27 & 28 April|{{flagicon|AUS}} Neil Robertson (7)|7 |{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Maguire (10)|13

|27 & 28 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Stuart Bingham|9 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Joe Perry|13

|29 & 30 April|{{flagicon|WAL}} Ryan Day (16)|7 |{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Hendry (8)|13

|29 & 30 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)|13 |{{flagicon|CHN}} Liang Wenbo|7

|29 & 30 April|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ali Carter (14)|13 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Peter Ebdon (6)|9

|29 & 30 April|{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Maguire (10)|12 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Joe Perry|13

|1 & 2 May|{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Hendry (8)|6 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)|17

|1, 2 & 3 May|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ali Carter (14)|17 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Joe Perry|15

|4 & 5 May|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)|18|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ali Carter (14)|8

}}

{{WSC table

|(Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 4 May & 5 May 2008. Referee: Jan Verhaas{{cite book |last=Downer |first=Chris |title=Crucible Almanac |year=2012 |pages=143}}

| Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)
{{ENG}}

| 18–8

| Ali Carter (14)
{{ENG}}

| 81–56, 127–0, 99–0, 0–104, 86–4, 62–76, 65–18, 73–0, 78–0, 36–60, 86–4, 28–93, 45–80, 123–0, 77–32, 110–5, 66–48, 74–0, 25–64, 85–0, 0–84, 58–42, 4–89, 68–39, 75–32, 62–16

| Century breaks: 2
(O'Sullivan 1, Carter 1)

Highest break by O'Sullivan: 106

Highest break by Carter: 104

| 81–56, 127–0, 99–0, 0–104, 86–4, 62–76, 65–18, 73–0, 78–0, 36–60, 86–4, 28–93, 45–80, 123–0, 77–32, 110–5, 66–48, 74–0, 25–64, 85–0, 0–84, 58–42, 4–89, 68–39, 75–32, 62–16

|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the 2008 888.com World Snooker Championship

|Best of 19 frames

|Best of 25 frames

|Best of 25 frames

|Best of 33 frames

}}

{{clear}}

The preliminary qualifying rounds for the tournament took place at Pontin's in Prestatyn, Wales between 3 and 5 January 2008.{{Cite web |title=888.com World Championship Qualifiers 2 (2008) - snooker.org |last=Årdalen |first=Hermund |website=snooker.org |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1152}}

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

The qualifying rounds 1–4 for the tournament took place at Pontin's in Prestatyn, Wales between 6 and 11 January 2008. The final round of qualifying took place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield between 7 and 10 March.

Round 1

Rounds 2–5

{{32TeamX4RoundBracket-NoSeeds

|seeds=no|

| RD1=Round 2
Best of 19 frames

| RD2=Round 3
Best of 19 frames

| RD3=Round 4
Best of 19 frames

| RD4=Round 5
Best of 19 frames

| team-width=150px

| RD1-team01 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Alex Davies

| RD1-score01 = 10

| RD1-team02 = {{flagicon|AUS}} Steve Mifsud

| RD1-score02 = 2

| RD1-team03 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Joyce

| RD1-score03 = 10

| RD1-team04 = {{flagicon|NIR}} Patrick Wallace

| RD1-score04 = 8

| RD1-team05 = {{flagicon|SCO}} James McBain

| RD1-score05 = 10

| RD1-team06 = {{flagicon|BEL}} Kevin Van Hove

| RD1-score06 = 2

| RD1-team07 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Tian Pengfei

| RD1-score07 = 10

| RD1-team08 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Ashley Wright

| RD1-score08 = 4

| RD1-team09 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Munraj Pal

| RD1-score09 = 8

| RD1-team10 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Xiao Guodong

| RD1-score10 = 10

| RD1-team11 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Matthew Selt

| RD1-score11 = 10

| RD1-team12 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Fraser Patrick

| RD1-score12 = 6

| RD1-team13 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liu Song

| RD1-score13 = 10

| RD1-team14 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Jimmy Robertson

| RD1-score14 = 6

| RD1-team15 = {{flagicon|NOR}} Kurt Maflin

| RD1-score15 = 9

| RD1-team16 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Gareth Coppack

| RD1-score16 = 10

| RD1-team17 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Shailesh Jogia

| RD1-score17 = 4

| RD1-team18 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Michael White

| RD1-score18 = 10

| RD1-team19 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Lee Spick

| RD1-score19 = 9

| RD1-team20 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Rodney Goggins

| RD1-score20 = 10

| RD1-team21 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Jamie O'Neill

| RD1-score21 = 8

| RD1-team22 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Martin Gould

| RD1-score22 = 10

| RD1-team23 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liang Wenbo

| RD1-score23 = 10

| RD1-team24 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Ben Woollaston

| RD1-score24 = 3

| RD1-team25 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Lee Walker

| RD1-score25 = 9

| RD1-team26 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liu Chuang

| RD1-score26 = 10

| RD1-team27 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Leo Fernandez

| RD1-score27 = 10

| RD1-team28 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Alfred Burden

| RD1-score28 = 4

| RD1-team29 = {{flagicon|IRL}} David Morris

| RD1-score29 = 9

| RD1-team30 = {{flagicon|THA}} Supoj Saenla

| RD1-score30 = 10

| RD1-team31 = {{flagicon|MLT}} Tony Drago

| RD1-score31 = 9

| RD1-team32 = {{flagicon|THA}} I Kachaiwong

| RD1-score32 = 10

| RD2-team01 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Ian Preece

| RD2-score01 = 10

| RD2-team02 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Alex Davies

| RD2-score02 = 9

| RD2-team03 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Jimmy Michie

| RD2-score03 = 10

| RD2-team04 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Joyce

| RD2-score04 = 4

| RD2-team05 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Marcus Campbell

| RD2-score05 = 9

| RD2-team06 = {{flagicon|SCO}} James McBain

| RD2-score06 = 10

| RD2-team07 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Mike Dunn

| RD2-score07 = 10

| RD2-team08 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Tian Pengfei

| RD2-score08 = 2

| RD2-team09 = {{flagicon|ENG}} David Roe

| RD2-score09 = 10

| RD2-team10 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Xiao Guodong

| RD2-score10 = 5

| RD2-team11 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Jimmy White

| RD2-score11 = 10

| RD2-team12 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Matthew Selt

| RD2-score12 = 4

| RD2-team13 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Scott MacKenzie

| RD2-score13 = 10

| RD2-team14 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liu Song

| RD2-score14 = 5

| RD2-team15 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Paul Davies

| RD2-score15 = 8

| RD2-team16 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Gareth Coppack

| RD2-score16 = 10

| RD2-team17 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Barry Pinches

| RD2-score17 = 10

| RD2-team18 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Michael White

| RD2-score18 = 4

| RD2-team19 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Judd Trump

| RD2-score19 = 10

| RD2-team20 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Rodney Goggins

| RD2-score20 = 4

| RD2-team21 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Stuart Pettman

| RD2-score21 = 4

| RD2-team22 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Martin Gould

| RD2-score22 = 10

| RD2-team23 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Rod Lawler

| RD2-score23 = 6

| RD2-team24 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liang Wenbo

| RD2-score24 = 10

| RD2-team25 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Joe Delaney

| RD2-score25 = 5

| RD2-team26 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liu Chuang

| RD2-score26 = 10

| RD2-team27 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Drew Henry

| RD2-score27 = 2

| RD2-team28 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Leo Fernandez

| RD2-score28 = 10

| RD2-team29 = {{flagicon|FIN}} Robin Hull

| RD2-score29 =

| RD2-team30 = {{flagicon|THA}} Supoj Saenla

| RD2-score30 = W/O

| RD2-team31 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Tom Ford

| RD2-score31 = 5

| RD2-team32 = {{flagicon|THA}} I Kachaiwong

| RD2-score32 = 10

| RD3-team01 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Adrian Gunnell

| RD3-score01 = 10

| RD3-team02 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Ian Preece

| RD3-score02 = 9

| RD3-team03 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Michael Judge

| RD3-score03 = 10

| RD3-team04 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Jimmy Michie

| RD3-score04 = 6

| RD3-team05 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Fergal O'Brien

| RD3-score05 = 10

| RD3-team06 = {{flagicon|SCO}} James McBain

| RD3-score06 = 4

| RD3-team07 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Andrew Norman

| RD3-score07 = 2

| RD3-team08 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Mike Dunn

| RD3-score08 = 10

| RD3-team09 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Andy Hicks

| RD3-score09 = 10

| RD3-team10 = {{flagicon|ENG}} David Roe

| RD3-score10 = 5

| RD3-team11 = {{flagicon|ENG}} A Higginson

| RD3-score11 = 7

| RD3-team12 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Jimmy White

| RD3-score12 = 10

| RD3-team13 = {{flagicon|THA}} James Wattana

| RD3-score13 = 8

| RD3-team14 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Scott MacKenzie

| RD3-score14 = 10

| RD3-team15 = {{flagicon|ENG}} John Parrott

| RD3-score15 = 10

| RD3-team16 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Gareth Coppack

| RD3-score16 = 3

| RD3-team17 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Robert Milkins

| RD3-score17 = 4

| RD3-team18 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Barry Pinches

| RD3-score18 = 10

| RD3-team19 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Jamie Burnett

| RD3-score19 = 2

| RD3-team20 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Judd Trump

| RD3-score20 = 10

| RD3-team21 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Rory McLeod

| RD3-score21 = 10

| RD3-team22 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Martin Gould

| RD3-score22 = 8

| RD3-team23 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Dave Gilbert

| RD3-score23 = 3

| RD3-team24 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liang Wenbo

| RD3-score24 = 10

| RD3-team25 = {{flagicon|ENG}} David Gray

| RD3-score25 = 5

| RD3-team26 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liu Chuang

| RD3-score26 = 10

| RD3-team27 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Davis

| RD3-score27 = 10

| RD3-team28 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Leo Fernandez

| RD3-score28 = 9

| RD3-team29 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Alan McManus

| RD3-score29 = 10

| RD3-team30 = {{flagicon|THA}} Supoj Saenla

| RD3-score30 = 2

| RD3-team31 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Ricky Walden

| RD3-score31 = 10

| RD3-team32 = {{flagicon|THA}} I Kachaiwong

| RD3-score32 = 4

| RD4-team01 = {{flagicon|England}} Stuart Bingham

| RD4-score01 = 10

| RD4-team02 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Adrian Gunnell

| RD4-score02 = 3

| RD4-team03 = {{flagicon|England}} Michael Holt

| RD4-score03 = 6

| RD4-team04 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Michael Judge

| RD4-score04 = 10

| RD4-team05 = {{flagicon|England}} Jamie Cope

| RD4-score05 = 10

| RD4-team06 = {{flagicon|IRL}} Fergal O'Brien

| RD4-score06 = 5

| RD4-team07 = {{flagicon|England}} Dave Harold

| RD4-score07 = 10

| RD4-team08 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Mike Dunn

| RD4-score08 = 4

| RD4-team09 = {{flagicon|England}} Barry Hawkins

| RD4-score09 = 10

| RD4-team10 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Andy Hicks

| RD4-score10 = 8

| RD4-team11 = {{flagicon|England}} Mark King

| RD4-score11 = 10

| RD4-team12 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Jimmy White

| RD4-score12 = 3

| RD4-team13 = {{flagicon|England}} Anthony Hamilton

| RD4-score13 = 10

| RD4-team14 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Scott MacKenzie

| RD4-score14 = 2

| RD4-team15 = {{flagicon|England}} Joe Perry

| RD4-score15 = 10

| RD4-team16 = {{flagicon|ENG}} John Parrott

| RD4-score16 = 8

| RD4-team17 = {{flagicon|England}} Nigel Bond

| RD4-score17 = 10

| RD4-team18 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Barry Pinches

| RD4-score18 = 7

| RD4-team19 = {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} Joe Swail

| RD4-score19 = 10

| RD4-team20 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Judd Trump

| RD4-score20 = 9

| RD4-team21 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Matthew Stevens

| RD4-score21 = 10

| RD4-team22 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Rory McLeod

| RD4-score22 = 5

| RD4-team23 = {{flagicon|England}} Ian McCulloch

| RD4-score23 = 5

| RD4-team24 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liang Wenbo

| RD4-score24 = 10

| RD4-team25 = {{flagicon|WAL}} Dominic Dale

| RD4-score25 = 9

| RD4-team26 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Liu Chuang

| RD4-score26 = 10

| RD4-team27 = {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} Gerard Greene

| RD4-score27 = 2

| RD4-team28 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Davis

| RD4-score28 = 10

| RD4-team29 = {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Marco Fu

| RD4-score29 = 10

| RD4-team30 = {{flagicon|SCO}} Alan McManus

| RD4-score30 = 3

| RD4-team31 = {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} Mark Allen

| RD4-score31 = 10

| RD4-team32 = {{flagicon|ENG}} Ricky Walden

| RD4-score32 = 8

}}

The highest break received a prize of £10,000, and a maximum break received a prize of £147,000 – a total of £157,000. This prize was shared, as two players made a 147, winning £78,500 each. In total there were 63 century breaks made at this year's world championships. O'Sullivan and Carter both made a maximum break during the event.

{{div col}}

• 147, 140, 138, 135, 133, 126, 123, 109, 106, 102, 102, 100 {{ndash}} Ronnie O'Sullivan
• 147, 128, 128, 106, 104, 100 {{ndash}} Ali Carter
• 143, 113, 109, 103 {{ndash}} Peter Ebdon
• 140, 124, 112, 112, 110 {{ndash}} Stephen Hendry
• 137 {{ndash}} Stuart Bingham
• 133, 105 {{ndash}} Joe Swail
• 132, 127, 121, 110, 104, 102 {{ndash}} Joe Perry
• 131, 118, 112, 110, 100 {{ndash}} Stephen Maguire
• 126, 101 {{ndash}} Jamie Cope
• 126 {{ndash}} Graeme Dott
• 125 {{ndash}} Nigel Bond
• 123, 104 {{ndash}} Liang Wenbo
• 121, 116, 112 {{ndash}} Mark King
• 120, 103 {{ndash}} John Higgins
• 114, 113 {{ndash}} Ding Junhui
• 112 {{ndash}} Matthew Stevens
• 108 {{ndash}} Mark Selby
• 104 {{ndash}} Ryan Day
• 104 {{ndash}} Michael Judge
• 103, 100 {{ndash}} Marco Fu
• 102 {{ndash}} Mark Allen
• 102 {{ndash}} Anthony Hamilton
• 102 {{ndash}} Shaun Murphy

{{div col end}}

The highest break in qualifying was a 139 made by Patrick Wallace.

{{div col}}

• 139, 113, 103 {{ndash}} Patrick Wallace
• 138 {{ndash}} Leo Fernandez
• 138 {{ndash}} Gerard Greene
• 137 {{ndash}} Mark Davis
• 136, 112, 105, 101 {{ndash}} Liang Wenbo
• 135 {{ndash}} Rod Lawler
• 132, 110 {{ndash}} Dominic Dale
• 132, 103 {{ndash}} Andy Hicks
• 129, 100 {{ndash}} Alex Davies
• 127 {{ndash}} Xiao Guodong
• 126 {{ndash}} Robert Milkins
• 123, 107 {{ndash}} Matthew Stevens
• 122 {{ndash}} Rory McLeod
• 119 {{ndash}} Adrian Gunnell
• 118 {{ndash}} Michael White
• 116 {{ndash}} Marco Fu
• 112 {{ndash}} Jamie Burnett
• 112 {{ndash}} Fergal O'Brien
• 110 {{ndash}} Tom Ford
• 109 {{ndash}} Michael Judge
• 109 {{ndash}} Ian McCulloch
• 109 {{ndash}} Steve Mifsud
• 109 {{ndash}} Munraj Pal
• 108 {{ndash}} Liu Chuang
• 106 {{ndash}} David Roe
• 105 {{ndash}} Marcus Campbell
• 104 {{ndash}} Mark Allen
• 104 {{ndash}} Tian Pengfei
• 103 {{ndash}} Jamie O'Neill
• 102, 101, 100 {{ndash}} Ian Preece
• 101 {{ndash}} James McBain
• 101 {{ndash}} Joe Perry
• 101 {{ndash}} Jimmy White
• 100 {{ndash}} Anthony Hamilton

{{div col end}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7369420.stm Video of O'Sullivan's 147]

{{World Snooker Championship}}

{{Snooker season 2007/2008}}

2008

World Championship

World Snooker Championship

Category:Sports competitions in Sheffield

World Snooker Championship

World Snooker Championship