By Stephen Carley

Sadly, this championship will go down in the record books as one filled with controversy surrounding Ronnie O'Sullivan on more than one occasion.

It was the first round match between Alain Robidoux and Ronnie O'Sullivan that was marred by controversy after the French-Canadian accused his opponent of showing disrespect to him after proceeding to play shots left-handed. Robidoux refused to shake hands with O'Sullivan after his 10-3 mauling, prompting Ronnie to brand Robidoux a baby.

Steve James and Neal Foulds were comprehensively despatched by Tony Drago and Dave Harold respectively while Peter Ebdon caned New Zealand's Dene O'Kane 10-1.

Steve Davis edged out Willie Thorne after the Leicester veteran had thrown away good chances at 8-8 to win the match.

And defending champion Stephen Hendry made heavy work of Jason Ferguson before winning 10-8.

The big shock of the round developed when qualifier Rod Lawler pushed aside John Parrott 10-6 to claim second round spot.

Jimmy Michie stole the show against James Wattana. Despite losing 10-8, the flamboyant Michie arrived at the Crucible in a stretch limo.

Nigel Bond won a close match against Anthony Hamilton 10-9. Terry Griffiths, John Higgins and Jimmy White each successfully made it through to the last 16.

O'Sullivan beat Drago 13-4 in their second round match with Hendry accounting for Wilkinson 13-7. Harold beat Parrott's conqueror Lawler 13-6 with Davis beating Griffiths 13-8.

Ebdon and White were involved in a nail-biting clash which Ebdon eventually won 13-12. Higgins beat fellow Scot McManus 13-5.

They say that lightning never strikes twice, but when that place is the Crucible and the situation involves O'Sullivan, that probability is increased.

The Rocket narrowly avoided being thrown out of the champiponships after it was alleged that he threw a punch at an official. He was given a two year suspended tournament ban, made to pay a £20,000 fine and give a further £10,000 to charity.

Despite all this, his 13-12 victory over Higgins in the last eight stood.

Elsewhere, Ebdon beat Davis 13-10, Bond defeated Stoke's Harold 13-7 and Hendry despatched Morgan comfortably 13-5.

Ebdon and O'Sullivan fought a close battle in their semi-final, which Ebdon came through a 16-14 winner.

In the other semi-final, a repeat of the 1995 final, Hendry saw off Bond 16-7.

Hendry almost became the first player to make maximum in a Crucible final when, in the 10th frame he found himself on 125 but missed a difficult brown along the cushion and it jawed.

An 18-12 (a popular scoreline in world finals) win saw Hendry claim his sixth world title and his fifth in as many years.

Hendry scooped £200,000 for his triumph while Ebdon shared the £8,500 high break prize with Drago, both making 144.