2014 World Snooker Championship
The 2014 World Snooker Championship was a professional ranking snooker tournament held from 19 April to 5 May 2014 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.[1] It featured a 32-player main draw in a knockout format, with matches progressing from best-of-19 frames in the first round to best-of-35 in the final, following qualifying rounds earlier in April.[1] Mark Selby of England claimed his first world title by defeating defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan 18–14 in the final, staging a remarkable comeback from a 10–5 deficit to win 13 of the last 17 frames.[2][3] The event, sponsored by Dafabet, offered a total prize fund of £1,214,000, with the winner receiving £300,000.[1] Selby's victory elevated him to world number one and completed his collection of the sport's Triple Crown titles (World Championship, UK Championship, and Masters).[2] In the semi-finals, Selby overcame Neil Robertson 17–15 in a tense encounter, while O'Sullivan dominated Barry Hawkins 17–7.[3] The tournament produced 58 century breaks in the main draw, contributing to a total of 127 centuries including qualifiers, and featured high-quality play across 127 matches and 2,134 frames.[1] This championship marked the 38th edition at the Crucible, underscoring its status as snooker's most prestigious event, and highlighted Selby's resilience in one of the sport's most dramatic finals.[2]Tournament Overview
Dates and Venue
The 2014 World Snooker Championship took place from 19 April to 5 May 2014, spanning 17 days of competition.[1][4] The event was held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, which has served as the traditional home of the World Snooker Championship since 1977.[5][4] The venue features a seating capacity of 980, creating an intimate atmosphere that enhances the tournament's intensity.[6][7] Sessions were typically scheduled to begin at 10:00 BST for morning matches, with evening sessions starting at 19:00 BST; some days included afternoon sessions at 14:30 BST or 13:00 BST, and the tournament proceeded without any major disruptions or alterations to the planned schedule.[8] This edition marked the 38th consecutive year of the championship at the Crucible, a venue selected in 1977 for its suitability to stage the expanding professional event and which has since become culturally iconic in snooker for fostering dramatic, high-stakes play.[9][5]Format and Seeding
The 2014 World Snooker Championship employed a single-elimination knockout format with a field of 32 players competing at the Crucible Theatre. First-round matches were contested over the best of 19 frames, typically spread across two sessions. The second round and quarter-finals extended to the best of 25 frames over three sessions each, while the semi-finals were the best of 33 frames over four sessions, and the final was the best of 35 frames over four sessions. Seeding for the main draw was determined by the official world rankings at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, with the top 16 players automatically advancing to the last 32 without entering qualifying. These seeds were drawn randomly against the 16 qualifiers who earned their spots through preliminary rounds held earlier in April at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. The rankings at that time reflected cumulative points from the two preceding seasons (2012–13 and 2013–14), under the points-based system in effect prior to the shift to a prize money calculation starting in the 2014–15 season.[10] Each frame began with the standard configuration of 15 red balls in a tightly packed triangle above the pink spot, accompanied by the six coloured balls (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black) positioned on their respective spots. No shot clock was implemented to limit shot times, allowing players unrestricted preparation within the rules prohibiting undue delay. Referees, as the sole arbiters of fair play, called fouls immediately upon infraction—penalizing the minimum of four points or the value of the ball on—and enforced the miss rule where applicable, requiring genuine attempts to escape snookers. Frame intervals were scheduled per session structure: shorter matches included a 15-minute break after the eighth frame, while longer rounds featured mid-session pauses after 8–10 frames, plus standard 15-minute lunch and 50–60 minute dinner breaks, with players required to resume promptly or face penalties.[11] This tournament was the inaugural event under Dafabet's title sponsorship, secured in March 2014, which primarily affected visual elements like sponsor logos on the table cloth and player attire but introduced no modifications to the playing rules or competitive structure.[12]Prize Fund
The total prize fund for the 2014 World Snooker Championship amounted to £1,214,000, marking an increase from the £1,111,000 offered in 2013 and reflecting the sport's rising commercial appeal through enhanced sponsorship deals.[13][14][1] The prize money distribution for the main draw at the Crucible Theatre was structured to reward progression, with the following amounts: the winner received £300,000, the runner-up £125,000, losing semi-finalists £55,000 each, quarter-final losers £25,000 each, second-round losers (last 16) £16,000 each, and first-round losers (last 32) £12,000 each.[15] Qualifying rounds, held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, offered additional incentives: £6,000 for last 64 losers, £8,500 for last 48 losers, with prizes for earlier rounds.[1] A separate award for the highest break in the main stages went to Neil Robertson for his 140 clearance in the first round against Robbie Williams.[16]| Stage | Prize Money (per player) |
|---|---|
| Winner | £300,000 |
| Runner-up | £125,000 |
| Semi-final loser | £55,000 |
| Quarter-final loser | £25,000 |
| Second-round loser (last 16) | £16,000 |
| First-round loser (last 32) | £12,000 |
| Qualifying: Last 64 | £6,000 |
| Qualifying: Last 48 | £8,500 |
Background
Defending Champion and Favorites
Ronnie O'Sullivan entered the 2014 World Snooker Championship as the defending champion, having secured his fifth world title in 2013 by defeating Barry Hawkins 18–12 in the final at the Crucible Theatre.[17] As a five-time winner, O'Sullivan was aiming to equal the record held by Steve Davis for the most world championships, adding significant anticipation to his title defense.[18] Installed as the top seed based on the provisional rankings, O'Sullivan's exceptional form during the 2013–14 season—including victories at the Masters and Champion of Champions—positioned him as the clear pre-tournament favorite.[19] Bookmakers heavily favored O'Sullivan to claim a third consecutive Crucible crown, with odds as short as 1/4 reflecting his dominance and public backing.[20] Among other leading contenders, world number one Neil Robertson stood out for his consistent high-level performances and potential to secure multiple major titles in a single season. Mark Selby, fresh off his 2012 UK Championship win and showing resilience in attritional matches, emerged as a key rival to O'Sullivan, fueling media speculation about a potential clash between the pair's contrasting styles. Judd Trump also drew attention as a dynamic threat, having previously reached the World Championship final and capable of explosive scoring.[19] The tournament landscape featured a notable shift, with no Welsh players among the top 16 seeds for the first time since 1990, altering the traditional balance of seeded matchups and opening pathways for English, Scottish, Australian, and Chinese representatives.[8] This absence, including the omission of established figures like Mark Williams, heightened focus on the international favorites while underscoring the competitive depth in the qualifying rounds.Qualification Process
The qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Snooker Championship took place over four rounds at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield, England, from 8 to 16 April 2014.[21] This event reduced the field of 112 players ranked 17-128 on the provisional seedings to 16 qualifiers who advanced to the main draw at the Crucible Theatre, joining the top 16 seeds.[21] All matches were played as best-of-19 frames in a single-elimination format.[21] Entry into qualifying was granted to the 112 Main Tour players ranked outside the top 16 on the provisional seedings list, who were automatically seeded into the main event.[22] To protect higher-ranked competitors, seeding was applied across rounds: players ranked 65–128 (64 players) contested round one (last 128) in 32 matches, producing 32 winners who faced players ranked 33–64 in round two (last 96) in 32 matches, producing 32 winners who then contested round three (last 64) among themselves in 16 matches to produce 16 winners; those met players ranked 17–32 in round four (last 32) in 16 matches, the final qualifying stage.[23] No wildcards or special invites were extended beyond the standard tour membership for this process.[22] Among the 16 non-seeded spots filled, notable qualifiers included Scottish player Jamie Burnett, Welshman Ryan Day, and Finn Robin Hull, reflecting the event's international diversity with representatives from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Finland, China, and Thailand.[23] The tournament featured several upsets, such as six-time world champion Steve Davis's elimination in the second round by unheralded Craig Steadman (10–8), ending Davis's tour status for the following season.[24] Other surprises included two-time champion Mark Williams's 8–10 defeat to Alan McManus in the final qualifying round, and Peter Ebdon's loss to Hull in the same stage.[25]Sponsorship and Broadcast
The 2014 World Snooker Championship was sponsored by Dafabet, a Philippines-based online gaming company, marking their first time as title sponsor and replacing the previous sponsor, Betfred.[26][27] The sponsorship deal integrated Dafabet's branding prominently, with the company logo displayed on the playing tables throughout the event at the Crucible Theatre.[28] In the United Kingdom, the BBC provided extensive free-to-air television coverage, broadcasting all sessions live across BBC Two, BBC One, and the BBC Red Button service, totaling over 150 hours of programming.[29][30] Internationally, Eurosport handled the broadcast rights, offering live coverage to audiences across Europe and beyond.[29][30] The final session peaked at more than 5 million viewers on BBC Two, underscoring the event's strong domestic appeal.[31] Complementing the television broadcasts, the BBC offered online streaming of select sessions via BBC iPlayer, enabling on-demand access for UK viewers.[32] Audio coverage included daily updates and commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, while BBC Radio Sheffield provided local programming with previews, reports, and interviews from the Crucible.[33][29][30] The event also featured regular press conferences and player interviews, facilitated by the BBC and World Snooker, to engage media and fans.[3] For 2014, the BBC enhanced its production with high-definition (HD) broadcasts, delivering sharper visuals of the Crucible action to viewers equipped with compatible televisions.[3] This included innovative camera angles, such as closer player perspectives, to heighten immersion during key moments.[34]Tournament Summary
Qualifying Rounds
The qualifying rounds for the 2014 World Snooker Championship were held from 8 to 16 April 2014 at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield, England, marking the first time this venue hosted the event and providing a professional yet more intimate setting for the competition.[21][35] A total of 96 matches were played across four rounds to determine the 16 players who would advance to join the top 16 seeds in the main draw at the Crucible Theatre.[1][21] Among the highlights were several notable upsets that underscored the unpredictability of the qualifiers. In the final round, former world champion Mark Williams suffered a significant defeat, losing 10-8 to Alan McManus and missing the main event for the first time since 1996.[36] Similarly, Robert Milkins mounted a strong run through the earlier stages but fell short in a thrilling final-round decider against Michael Wasley, who won 10-9 on the respotted black to secure his Crucible debut.[21] Performances across the rounds demonstrated competitive depth, with a total of 69 century breaks compiled by participants, reflecting the skill level even outside the televised spotlight.[1] While attendance at Ponds Forge was lower than the packed Crucible sessions of the main tournament, the qualifiers proved crucial for underdogs seeking breakthroughs against higher-ranked opponents.[35] The 16 qualifiers announced included a mix of experienced campaigners like Ken Doherty, Ryan Day, and Michael Holt, alongside surprises such as debutant Michael Wasley and young prospect Kyren Wilson, who advanced after overcoming tougher draws and injecting fresh energy into the upcoming main draw.[21]First Round
The first round of the 2014 World Snooker Championship commenced on 19 April 2014 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, featuring 16 best-of-19 frame matches spread over three or four sessions each, concluding by 24 April.[37] Seeded players were protected from early clashes with one another, allowing qualifiers and lower seeds to challenge top talents from the outset.[37] The round set a dramatic tone with a series of upsets and resilient performances, as underdogs capitalized on tight contests to advance. Defending champion and top seed Ronnie O'Sullivan opened the tournament with a composed 10-4 victory over qualifier Robin Hull on 19 April, securing the win with a session to spare after taking an 8-1 lead into the final session.[37] World number one Neil Robertson followed suit with a dominant 10-2 thrashing of Robbie Williams on 24 April, highlighted by a maximum-potential 140 break that underscored his exceptional form entering the event.[37] Barry Hawkins, the fifth seed, dispatched qualifier David Gilbert 10-4 on 23 April, maintaining steady potting to avoid any early surprises.[37] Upsets defined several encounters, injecting unpredictability into the draw. Qualifier Michael Wasley, ranked 75th and making his Crucible debut, stunned fourth seed Ding Junhui 10-9 on 22 April in a gripping match that went to a deciding frame, with the final moments capturing widespread attention for their intensity.[37] Alan McManus, seeded 34th, overcame eleventh seed John Higgins 10-7 on 22 April, leveraging tactical safety play to edge out his compatriot in a contest marked by few high breaks but high drama.[37] Ryan Day produced a comeback to defeat tenth seed Stephen Maguire 10-9 on 20 April, rallying from a 5-3 deficit after the first session to claim the upset in the final frame.[37] Similarly, 29th seed Ken Doherty ousted sixth seed Stuart Bingham 10-5 on 20 April, capitalizing on Bingham's erratic play to secure a straightforward advancement.[37] Other seeded players navigated close challenges, with third seed Mark Selby edging qualifier Michael White 10-9 on 21 April in a match that tested his defensive resilience.[37] Seventh seed Judd Trump survived a late fightback from Tom Ford to win 10-8 on 23 April, while ninth seed Shaun Murphy held off Jamie Cope 10-9 on 21 April.[37] Twelfth seed Ricky Walden defeated fellow qualifier Kyren Wilson 10-7 on 23 April, and fifteenth seed Mark Allen comfortably beat Michael Holt 10-4 on 23 April.[37] Twenty-fourth seed Dominic Dale rounded out the round by overcoming thirteenth seed Mark Davis 10-5 on 24 April, ensuring a mix of experience and youth progressed.[37] These results highlighted the qualifiers' ability to thrive under pressure, setting up intriguing second-round matchups.[37]Second Round
The second round of the 2014 World Snooker Championship, contested from 24 to 28 April at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, featured best-of-25 frames matches among the last 16 players, intensifying the tournament's competitive drama as seeds faced first-round survivors. This stage highlighted a blend of attacking flair and tactical resilience, with two encounters decided by just two frames, underscoring the fine margins at the Crucible. A remarkable 24 century breaks were recorded across the eight matches, reflecting the high quality of play and contributing to emerging storylines around player form and mental strength.[1] Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan endured a tense thriller against qualifier Joe Perry, falling behind early in the opening session before rallying to secure a 13-11 victory with three centuries (124, 117, 113), turning the match in his favor through superior long potting and composure under pressure. Similarly, Mark Selby outlasted Ali Carter 13-9 in a defensively charged battle, relying on his renowned safety play to maintain a 9-7 lead into the final session and clinch the win despite Carter's response with breaks of 110 and 102; Selby's tactical acumen prevented Carter from mounting a sustained comeback. World number one Neil Robertson also navigated a mid-match wobble, trailing 6-7 before dominating Mark Allen 13-7, capped by a superb 137 break in frame 22 that propelled him forward with clinical efficiency.[38][39][37] Barry Hawkins survived another nail-biter, defeating Ricky Walden 13-11 after a closely fought affair featuring Walden's centuries of 112 and 109, while Hawkins responded with a 104 to edge ahead in the decider frames. Underdogs shone through as well, with qualifier Joe Perry pushing O'Sullivan to the brink and Marco Fu challenging Shaun Murphy before falling 13-8, though it was Dominic Dale's emphatic 13-4 rout of fellow qualifier Michael Wasley that exemplified the round's surprises, as Dale capitalized on Wasley's errors with breaks including 106. Judd Trump cruised past Ryan Day 13-7, Alan McManus overcame Ken Doherty 13-8, and these results amplified the tournament's unpredictability, building on qualifiers' first-round successes.[40][1]Quarter-Finals
The quarter-finals of the 2014 World Snooker Championship were contested as best-of-25-frames matches over two days, 29 and 30 April, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, determining the semi-finalists from the eight remaining players who had advanced from the second round.[3] All four pre-match favourites progressed without major upsets, showcasing dominant performances in three encounters while one proved a tense decider.[41] Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan delivered a clinical 13-3 demolition of Shaun Murphy, winning the final session 8-0 to secure victory with a session to spare and registering centuries of 136 and 118.[3] Mark Selby similarly overwhelmed Alan McManus 13-5, compiling breaks of 110 and 109 en route to a commanding display that highlighted his tactical precision.[3] In the closest contest, Barry Hawkins, still smarting from his 18-12 final defeat to O'Sullivan the previous year, edged out qualifier Dominic Dale 13-12 in a thrilling decider, clinching it with a 134 clearance after trailing 12-11.[3][17] Neil Robertson capped his progression with a 13-11 victory over Judd Trump, marked by his milestone 100th century break of the season—a 101—in the 22nd frame, making him the first player to reach that tally in a single campaign.[42] These results set up semi-final clashes between O'Sullivan and Hawkins, alongside Selby and Robertson, underscoring the high stakes as the tournament narrowed to its elite phase.[3]| Match | Score | Centuries |
|---|---|---|
| Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) def. Shaun Murphy (ENG) | 13–3 | 2 (O'Sullivan: 136, 118) |
| Mark Selby (ENG) def. Alan McManus (SCO) | 13–5 | 2 (Selby: 110, 109) |
| Barry Hawkins (ENG) def. Dominic Dale (WAL) | 13–12 | 1 (Hawkins: 134) |
| Neil Robertson (AUS) def. Judd Trump (ENG) | 13–11 | 3 (Robertson: 101, 100; Trump: 107) |
Semi-Finals
The semi-finals of the 2014 World Snooker Championship were contested as best-of-33-frames matches over three days from 1 to 3 May at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, marking the penultimate stage where endurance and tactical resilience defined the path to the final. Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan faced Barry Hawkins in the first semi-final, while Mark Selby took on world number one Neil Robertson in the second, highlighting intense rivalries among top-ranked players vying for a spot in the championship decider.[3] O'Sullivan delivered a commanding performance against Hawkins, securing a 17-7 victory with a session to spare after dominating from the outset. He opened a 6-2 lead in the first session with clinical breaks, including centuries of 108 and 112, and extended his advantage relentlessly, compiling further tons of 106 and 103 across the match. Hawkins responded with a single 106 break but struggled against O'Sullivan's superior potting and positioning, unable to mount a sustained challenge in what became a one-sided affair that showcased the defending champion's ruthless efficiency. The match produced five century breaks in total—four by O'Sullivan and one by Hawkins—emphasizing the high quality of play despite the lopsided score.[43][44][1] In contrast, Selby's semi-final against Robertson unfolded as a grueling test of stamina, culminating in a 17-15 win after more than 12 hours of play across three sessions. Selby led 9-7 overnight following the first session, but Robertson fought back fiercely to level at 12-12 and then take a 15-14 advantage late on the third day, forcing a dramatic finish. Displaying remarkable composure, Selby reeled off the final three frames with breaks of 79, 77, and 74 to advance, underscoring his reputation for resilience in prolonged battles. The encounter featured five centuries—two from Selby (133 and 104) and three from Robertson (130, 119, and 108)—contributing to a combined total of 10 across both semi-finals and highlighting the exceptional break-building on display. This marathon clash not only tested physical limits but also amplified the rivalry between the two players, both known for their tactical depth.[45][46][1]Final
The 2014 World Snooker Championship final was a best-of-35 frames encounter between Mark Selby and defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, held over two days from 4 to 5 May at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.[47] O'Sullivan, seeking a record-equalling sixth title, entered as the clear favorite after a dominant 17–7 semi-final win over Barry Hawkins, while Selby, who had edged Neil Robertson 17–15 in the semis, aimed for his maiden world crown.[2] The match captivated a capacity crowd of around 980 spectators, creating an electric atmosphere thick with tension as the two English players traded frames in a battle of contrasting styles.[47] O'Sullivan took control early, leading 10–7 after the opening two sessions on day one with fluent breaks including centuries of 100 and 103, showcasing his attacking flair.[48] Selby, known for his tactical acumen, responded resiliently in the afternoon session on day two, reeling off four straight frames—featuring breaks of 74 and 56—to snatch an 11–10 lead for the first time, his safety play forcing O'Sullivan into uncharacteristic errors.[47] The momentum swung dramatically in the evening session, the longest in Crucible history at over eight hours, as O'Sullivan won four consecutive frames to forge a 14–11 advantage, his frustration evident in visible tugs at his ears and a growing sense of numbness.[48] Selby's comeback defined the match's drama, as he won the final seven frames uninterrupted—highlighted by a 127 clearance in frame 30 and gritty defensive snookers that neutralized O'Sullivan's attacks—climbing from the brink to triumph 18–14 and claim his first world title.[47] This victory marked the start of Selby's Triple Crown collection, following prior Masters and UK Championship wins, and earned him £300,000 in prize money, which he dedicated to his late father.[2] O'Sullivan, gracious in defeat despite his failed bid for a sixth crown, later praised Selby's mental fortitude in what he called a "mental torture" affair.[47] The packed Crucible crowd erupted in applause at the conclusion, underscoring the final's status as a modern classic of resilience over brilliance.[2]Results and Draws
Main Draw
The main draw of the 2014 World Snooker Championship was held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield from 19 April to 5 May, featuring 32 players in a single-elimination format. The top 16 seeds, determined by the world rankings at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, were paired against 16 qualifiers in the first round, with subsequent rounds progressing to the final. Matches in the first round were best of 19 frames, the second round and quarter-finals best of 25 frames, the semi-finals best of 33 frames, and the final best of 35 frames.[8] The top 16 seeds and their first-round opponents were as follows:- Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) vs. Robin Hull (Finland, qualifier)
- Mark Selby (England) vs. Michael White (Wales, qualifier)
- Ding Junhui (China) vs. Michael Wasley (England, qualifier)
- Neil Robertson (Australia) vs. Robbie Williams (England, qualifier)
- Barry Hawkins (England) vs. David Gilbert (England, qualifier)
- Judd Trump (England) vs. Tom Ford (England, qualifier)
- Shaun Murphy (England) vs. Jamie Cope (England, qualifier)
- Stuart Bingham (England) vs. Ken Doherty (Ireland, qualifier)
- Ricky Walden (England) vs. Kyren Wilson (England, qualifier)
- Marco Fu (Hong Kong) vs. Martin Gould (England, qualifier)
- Stephen Maguire (Scotland) vs. Ryan Day (Wales, qualifier)
- Ali Carter (England) vs. Xiao Guodong (China, qualifier)
- Joe Perry (England) vs. Jamie Burnett (Scotland, qualifier)
- John Higgins (Scotland) vs. Alan McManus (Scotland, qualifier)
- Mark Davis (England) vs. Dominic Dale (Wales, qualifier)
- Mark Allen (Northern Ireland) vs. Michael Holt (England, qualifier)[8][3]
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronnie O'Sullivan (1) | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Robin Hull | 10–4 |
| Mark Selby (2) | Mark Selby | Michael White | 10–9 |
| Michael Wasley | Michael Wasley | Ding Junhui (3) | 10–9 |
| Neil Robertson (4) | Neil Robertson | Robbie Williams | 10–2 |
| Barry Hawkins (5) | Barry Hawkins | David Gilbert | 10–4 |
| Judd Trump (6) | Judd Trump | Tom Ford | 10–8 |
| Shaun Murphy (7) | Shaun Murphy | Jamie Cope | 10–9 |
| Ken Doherty | Ken Doherty | Stuart Bingham (8) | 10–5 |
| Ricky Walden (9) | Ricky Walden | Kyren Wilson | 10–7 |
| Marco Fu (10) | Marco Fu | Martin Gould | 10–7 |
| Ryan Day | Ryan Day | Stephen Maguire (11) | 10–9 |
| Ali Carter (12) | Ali Carter | Xiao Guodong | 10–8 |
| Joe Perry (13) | Joe Perry | Jamie Burnett | 10–7 |
| Alan McManus | Alan McManus | John Higgins (14) | 10–7 |
| Dominic Dale | Dominic Dale | Mark Davis (15) | 10–5 |
| Mark Allen (16) | Mark Allen | Michael Holt | 10–4 |
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronnie O'Sullivan (1) | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Joe Perry | 13–11 |
| Mark Selby (2) | Mark Selby | Ali Carter | 13–9 |
| Neil Robertson (4) | Neil Robertson | Mark Allen | 13–7 |
| Judd Trump (6) | Judd Trump | Ryan Day | 13–7 |
| Shaun Murphy (7) | Shaun Murphy | Marco Fu | 13–8 |
| Barry Hawkins (5) | Barry Hawkins | Ricky Walden | 13–11 |
| Alan McManus | Alan McManus | Ken Doherty | 13–8 |
| Dominic Dale | Dominic Dale | Michael Wasley | 13–4 |
Semi-Finals Results (1–3 May)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronnie O'Sullivan (1) | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Barry Hawkins (5) | 17–7 |
| Mark Selby (2) | Mark Selby | Neil Robertson (4) | 17–15 |
Qualifying Results
The qualifying rounds produced 16 players who advanced to the main draw, with several high-profile upsets occurring, including six-time world champion Steve Davis being eliminated 8-10 by Craig Steadman in the second round.[23] Other notable eliminations in later stages included Mark Williams losing 8-10 to Alan McManus, Robert Milkins falling 9-10 to Michael Wasley, and Graeme Dott being defeated 7-10 by Kyren Wilson, all in the final qualifying round.[23] The results of the final qualifying round (best-of-19 frames, determining the 16 qualifiers) are shown below:| Winner | Score | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Robbie Williams (ENG) | 10-9 | Fergal O'Brien (IRL) |
| Robin Hull (FIN) | 10-8 | Peter Ebdon (ENG) |
| Jamie Burnett (SCO) | 10-8 | Ben Woollaston (ENG) |
| Michael Wasley (ENG) | 10-9 | Robert Milkins (ENG) |
| Martin Gould (ENG) | 10-7 | Liang Wenbo (CHN) |
| Michael White (WAL) | 10-7 | Matthew Selt (ENG) |
| Ryan Day (WAL) | 10-5 | Stuart Carrington (ENG) |
| Xiao Guodong (CHN) | 10-1 | Li Yan (CHN) |
| Alan McManus (SCO) | 10-8 | Mark Williams (WAL) |
| Jamie Cope (ENG) | 10-7 | Mark King (ENG) |
| Tom Ford (ENG) | 10-8 | Matthew Stevens (ENG) |
| Dominic Dale (WAL) | 10-6 | Andrew Higginson (ENG) |
| David Gilbert (ENG) | 10-6 | Jimmy Robertson (ENG) |
| Ken Doherty (IRL) | 10-5 | Dechawat Poomjaeng (THA) |
| Michael Holt (ENG) | 10-6 | Jamie Jones (WAL) |
| Kyren Wilson (ENG) | 10-7 | Graeme Dott (SCO) |
| Winner | Score | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Li Yan (CHN) | 10-8 | Joe Swail (NIR) |
| Robbie Williams (ENG) | 10-7 | Pankaj Advani (IND) |
| Michael Wasley (ENG) | 10-6 | Mark Joyce (ENG) |
| Jamie Burnett (SCO) | 10-8 | Cao Yupeng (CHN) |
| Stuart Carrington (ENG) | 10-5 | Nigel Bond (ENG) |
| Robin Hull (FIN) | 10-4 | Ian Burns (ENG) |
| Matthew Selt (ENG) | 10-2 | Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (THA) |
| Martin Gould (ENG) | 10-1 | Igor Figueiredo (BRA) |
| Alan McManus (SCO) | 10-8 | Peter Lines (ENG) |
| Jimmy Robertson (ENG) | 10-9 | Anthony McGill (SCO) |
| Dechawat Poomjaeng (THA) | 10-6 | Craig Steadman (ENG) |
| Jamie Cope (ENG) | 10-7 | Alex Borg (MLT) |
| Jamie Jones (WAL) | 10-5 | Aditya Mehta (IND) |
| Kyren Wilson (ENG) | 10-3 | Alfie Burden (ENG) |
| Andrew Higginson (ENG) | 10-3 | Kurt Maflin (NOR) |
| Tom Ford (ENG) | 10-1 | Luca Brecel (BEL) |
Records and Statistics
Televised Century Breaks
A total of 58 century breaks were compiled during the televised main draw of the 2014 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. These breaks were captured live on BBC television and Eurosport, providing extensive coverage of the event from 19 April to 5 May. The abundance of centuries highlighted the high level of scoring throughout the tournament, with players frequently producing runs of 100 or more points in single visits.[1] The highest break of the tournament was a 140, achieved by Neil Robertson in his 10–4 first-round victory over Robbie Williams on 19 April. This clearance came in the 11th frame and showcased Robertson's exceptional long potting and positional play. Ronnie O'Sullivan recorded the second-highest break with a 136 against qualifier Michael Wasley in the first round, contributing to his dominant 10–4 win. Other notable high breaks included 136s from Marco Fu (against Ryan Day in the second round) and Ding Junhui (against Jamie Jones in the second round), as well as a 137 from Ricky Walden in his second-round match against John Higgins. Neil Robertson led the tournament with 10 centuries, including his milestone 100th century break of the 2013–14 season—a 100—during his 13–11 quarter-final win over Judd Trump on 30 April. This achievement marked him as the first player to reach 100 centuries in a single professional season. O'Sullivan followed with 13 centuries across his run to the final, while Mark Selby, the eventual champion, made 5 during his title-winning campaign. The centuries were distributed across all rounds, with the first round featuring 18, the second round 15, quarter-finals 10, semi-finals 9, and the final 5.| Player | Centuries | Highest Break |
|---|---|---|
| Ronnie O'Sullivan | 13 | 136 |
| Neil Robertson | 10 | 140 |
| Mark Selby | 5 | 133 |
| Marco Fu | 4 | 136 |
| Barry Hawkins | 4 | 134 |
| Shaun Murphy | 3 | 112 |
| Ricky Walden | 3 | 137 |
| Michael Wasley | 3 | 135 |
| Ali Carter | 2 | 110 |
| Ryan Day | 2 | 130 |
| Judd Trump | 2 | 117 |
| Others (7 players) | 1 each | Varies |
Qualifying Century Breaks
In the qualifying rounds of the 2014 World Snooker Championship, held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield from 8 to 15 April, a total of 69 century breaks were compiled across the four rounds, showcasing the competitive depth among the 128 entrants battling for 16 main-draw spots.[1] These non-televised achievements were officially recorded but not broadcast live, highlighting under-the-radar performances that often decided progression in best-of-19 matches.[5] The breaks were distributed throughout the rounds, with higher concentrations in later stages as seeded players faced tougher opposition, contributing to upsets like those involving established names such as Mark Williams and Steve Davis.[36] The highest qualifying break was 139, achieved twice: by Martin O'Donnell in the first round against Shane Castle on 8 April, and by Andrew Higginson in the fourth round against Dominic Dale.[49] Martin Gould stood out for his prolific scoring, compiling six centuries during his successful qualification campaign, including a 137 and a 134, which helped him advance to the Crucible.[49] Robert Milkins also demonstrated strong form with three centuries in his run, underscoring his resurgence that season. Other notable contributions included Fergal O'Brien's 135 and breaks from players like Mark Williams, who notched a 137 in his fourth-round loss to Alan McManus despite elimination.[49] These moments often proved pivotal in deciders, such as during Steve Davis's third-round defeat to Liang Wenbo, where centuries influenced the outcome of a tight 10-9 match. The overall tally reflected the evolving skill levels in qualifying, with emerging talents matching veterans in break-building prowess.| Player | Notable Qualifying Centuries | Round(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Martin O'Donnell | 139, 119, 100 | Rounds 1–2 |
| Andrew Higginson | 139 | Round 4 |
| Martin Gould | 137, 134, 132, 114, 113, 106 | Rounds 2–4 |
| Fergal O'Brien | 135 | Round 3 |
| Mark Williams | 137 | Round 4 |
| Robert Milkins | Three centuries (specific sizes: 128, 112, 105) | Rounds 1–4 |