flashback to the memorable barbican finals

2002 – Mark Williams bt Ken Doherty 10-9: Williams conceded just 10 frames en route to the final where he trailed 6-5 before reeling off four of the next five frames with runs of 119, 74 and 78. Back came Doherty to 9-9, but he went in-off trying to play safe early in the decider and Williams stayed ice cool under pressure with a match-winning break of 70.

2003 – Matthew Stevens bt Stephen Hendry 10-8: Stevens upset the form book to beat Hendry, who had coasted into a 4-0 lead. Stevens won five of the last six frames, potting the last pink to win in a tense finish.

2004 – Stephen Maguire bt David Gray 10-1: After knocking out Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round Maguire lost just 11 frames in the remainder of a tournament which was littered with shocks. David Gray made a 147 early in the event but had no answer in the final as Maguire piled in breaks of 85, 57, 110, 131, 80 and 122.

2005 – Ding Junhui bt Steve Davis 10-6: Over the past two decades, few tournaments outside the World Championship have generated as much media coverage as this one as Davis captured the nation’s hearts with a stirring run to the final. The 48-year-old beat Stephen Maguire 9-8 with a performance he described as one of the best of his career, including a break of 145, then saw off old foes Ken Doherty and Stephen Hendry. From 3-3, teenager Ding took control by going 8-4 ahead, and eventually sealed victory.

2006 – Peter Ebdon bt Stephen Hendry 10-6: Most of the headlines went to Ronnie O’Sullivan for his astonishing walk-out midway through his quarter-final against Stephen Hendry, but the Scot didn’t mind as he went on to beat Graeme Dott in the semi-finals. But his hopes of a 37th world ranking title – which still eludes him – were dashed by resolute Ebdon who pulled away from 4-4 to triumph.