Profile of Matthew Stevens

World ranking: 6
Last five seasons: 6-9-26-53-67
Date of birth: 11-09-77
Lives: Carmarthen, Dyfed
Turned professional: 1994
Best ranking event performances: Runner-up Embassy World Championship 2000, Liverpool Victoria UK Championship 1998, 1999
Last season's prize money: £162,260
Career prize money (up to start of 2001-2002 season): £891,550
Highest tournament break:
145 - Grand Prix 1996

It is hard to believe that Matthew Stevens is still waiting to win his first ranking tournament given his performances in the last two World Championships.

Runner-up to Mark Williams in 2000, great things were expected from the young Welshman the following season. But he endured a frustrating run of deciding-frame defeats, then suffered the tragic loss of his father and mentor Morrell in February.

It would have been easy for Stevens to call his season a write-off yet he saved his best for last, reaching his first and only semi-final at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

Impressive victories over Tony Drago (10-1) and Anthony Hamilton (13-5) were surpassed by his 13-5 demolition job on seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals, which earned him a glowing tribute from his opponent.

"I've no complaints, no excuses - I was outplayed in all departments. Matthew was outstanding," said Hendry. "He has one of the best cue actions in the world, if not the best."

Stevens' hopes of a second successive world final were dashed by John Higgins, who won an absorbing semi-final 17-15.

The lead changed hands on no fewer than eight occasions but Stevens was philosophical in defeat. "I enjoyed the match. Somebody has got to lose; that's the way it goes. I felt really confident going into the final session but it wasn't to be."

It would have been a bitter pill for most to swallow, especially after his 18-16 defeat from 13-7 up by Willians in the first-ever all-Welsh final the previous year.

"I missed a black that might have taken me ahead 14-7 and after that Mark came back superbly, showing why he is world No 1," said the sporting loser. "But it was great experience for me and I am sure I will learn from it."

Stevens' consolation was a cheque for £140,000 - just enough to follow Williams' lead and buy a Ferrari, only yellow rather than red!

The fluent break-builder from Carmarthen has also twice been beaten in the Liverpool Victoria UK Championship final, losing 10-6 to Higgins in 1998 and 10-8 to Williams the following year.

But he has already proved he is a winner by completing a notable Masters double, defeating Higgins 9-7 in the final of the 1999 Regal Masters and then striking gold in the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley in February, 2000, beating Alan McManus, Jimmy White and John Parrott before overcoming Ken Doherty 10-8 in a thrilling final to pocket a £165,000 first prize.

"This is the best moment of my snooker life; beyond my wildest dreams," said Stevens after staving off Doherty's fightback from 9-5 to 9-8 by compiling a break of 63 under the utmost pressure.
 


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