Crucible Classics #22

At number 22 in my countdown is:

22. 2006 World Championship First Round: Nigel Bond 10-9 Stephen Hendry
43-80; 56-26; 75(75)-0; 46-63; 84-6; 71(63)-16; 62-18; 82(52)-16; 13-65(52); 66-65(65); 53-56; 27-74(61); 44-62; 20-69(52); 6-70(70); 103(52)-7; 5-74; 61-27; 55-48

Match Progress: 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, 5-2, 6-2, 6-3, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 7-6, 7-7, 7-8, 8-8, 8-9, 9-9, 10-9

What are your memories/observations of this Crucible Classic?

I was delighted to see Nigel beat a peak Stephen Hendry. Made all the greater because absolutely nobody expected it.

I believe this is the only Crucible match which has been decided on a respotted black in the decidibg frame.

I actually had tickets for the second round match between the winner of this and Graeme Dott. I wanted that winner to be zhendry.

Bond potted the winning black but went in off to get us to the respot.

I remember both players complaining about the playing conditions and to be fair the quality of play wasnt great.

Cloud Strife wrote:I was delighted to see Nigel beat a peak Stephen Hendry. Made all the greater because absolutely nobody expected it.

I did.

Hendry had so many chances to win the deciding frame, it was so painful to watch :(

Cloud Strife wrote:I was delighted to see Nigel beat a peak Stephen Hendry. Made all the greater because absolutely nobody expected it.

I was pleased for Nigel, but it wasn't a peak Hendry by any means; seven years after his last WC, 15 months after what was to be his last ranking event title. Although he was no.2 in the rankings, and would regain the no.1 spot for the 06/07 campaign, the 21st century Hendry could never be considered peak in my opinion.