Crucible contenders

O'Sullivan: World champion

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The World Snooker Championship is the blue riband of the snooker world, and all eyes will be focused on the Crucible come April 18.

But who stands the best chance of walking away with the great prize on the baize?

Ronnie O'Sullivan is the defending champion and he is undoubtedly the greatest player on the circuit, but he always is liable to blow up mentally, especially under the intense pressure at the Crucible.

Mark Selby is leading the way amongst the top new players rising through the ranks, along with Ali Carter and Ryan Day, while former fairytale winner Shaun Murphy is now established as one of the best around.

Old hands like Stephen Hendry and John Higgins still have the ability to light up the Crucible, while talented Scot Stephen Maguire has long been touted as a world champion of the future, but who will come out on top in Sheffield?

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN

The defending champion and snooker's greatest enigma. O'Sullivan waltzed to the title last year to confirm the belief that not many can touch him when his heart and head are in the game. Expect retirement threats throughout the tournament from the man who describes his left hand as "like my mistress". It is difficult to look past 'the Rocket' again this year.

STEPHEN MAGUIRE

The Glasgow scrapper has what it takes to be a winner at the Crucible but last year's defeat to Joe Perry in the quarter-final will have rankled. A prodigious break-builder when his eye is in he made his name in 2004 with victories in the Malta Cup and the UK Championship, not to be discounted from eventual success.

SHAUN MURPHY

Murphy has enjoyed mixed fortunes this year. After struggling at the beginning of the season his victory in the UK Championship last December will have improved his confidence. The 2005 winner has failed to get back to the final in Sheffield since that momentous victory but is capable of a big performance. Will want to put the memory of last year's second-round exit behind him.

MARK SELBY

Selby is an extremely tough opponent and enjoys playing at the Crucible. He showed his talent in reaching the final at the Crucible in 2007, where he lost to John Higgins, and has the look of a future winner. Selby combines gritty safety with excellent break-building and he will be keen to wipe out the memory of last year's first-round defeat to Mark King. One to watch.

JOHN HIGGINS

The two-time winner has been a household name since his first ranking title in 1994. His game has not been great in the wake of his success at the World Championship in 2007 but he remains a formidable opponent. The Wizard from Wishaw will need to find some form if he is to capture a third title but is more than capable of a strong performance.

STEPHEN HENDRY

One of snooker's greatest players is without a ranking title victory since 2005 and has seen his best days. Hendry has won seven titles at the Crucible and although he no longer displays his coruscating best on a regular basis he is certainly capable of beating anyone when he is on form. Unlikely winner but could have one last Sheffield effort left in him.

ALI CARTER

Carter's game has come on leaps and bounds in the past few seasons and his performance in last year's World Championship reflected this. Carter recently picked up his first ranking title at the Welsh Open and he has the tenacity and potting ability to trouble any player. Certainly a live contender if he gets his game going at the Crucible.

RYAN DAY

Day has been consistently improving over the past five years as he has climbed up the world rankings. The Welshman has not yet picked up a ranking title but the Crucible seems to bring out the best of him. Knocked out the defending champion John Higgins last year at the World Championships. Capable of causing a surprise but hard to see him going all the way.