The second match on the afternoon of August 16, 2019 at the WSS ROKiT 2019 World Championship will see the “King of the Crucible”, Stephen Hendry take on either Tony Drago or Dene O’Kane.

Stephen Hendry made the Crucible Theatre is own place during the nineties, winning the World Championship at the iconic arena a record seven times: in 1990, 1992-96 and 1999. He remains the youngest ever Snooker World Champion. He also changed the way snooker is played forever. He used to claim the “safety is over-rated”. He was all-out attack, and never changed that approach even when his form dipped and wins eluded him. He won 75 titles in total, 36 ranking events, including 18 “Triple Crown” events. He made 775 competitive centuries as a pro, including 11 maximum breaks. In May 2012, after featuring in his 27th consecutive World Championship, he announced his retirement from the game. He had spent 23 consecutive seasons in the top 16 of the world rankings.

In the first round of his very last World Championship he made this maximum break…

You will find Stephen Hendry profile on this blog here

And Stephen’s profile by Elliott West here

Reading the above you would be entitled to think that his opponent – Tony Drago or Dene O’Kane – stands no chance. Actually, after retiring Stephen really walked away from snooker for a long while, in part because he couldn’ accept to play at a lesser standard, in part because of his commitments in China where he was appointed to promote Chinese Pool, in part because of major changes in his private life.

He opened up about his career, its highs and its lows in his autobiography

Since he came back to play on the Seniors Tour, two years ago, he has struggled and he hasn’t won an event yet. Could it happen this week? It’s hard to tell.

Only one way to find out: come and watch! I won’t make any prediction …