NIGEL BOND (England)

World ranking: 13

Age: 33

World Championship best: Runner-up 1995

Best ranking event performance: Winner one tournament - 1996 British Open

1998/99 ranking form: Grand Prix - R2, UK - R2, Irish - R1, Welsh - R2, Scottish - R2, Thailand - R2, China - R2, British - R1.

Bond became the lowest seed to reach the world final since Terry Griffiths, when he featured in the 1995 decider but was soundly beaten 18-9 by Stephen Hendry

In the three years before, he had reached the quarter-finals at the Crucible and also lost 16-7 to the Scot in the semi-finals in '96.

But he has fallen at the first hurdle for the past two years, to Stephen Lee and Mark King.

He captured his first world ranking title at the British Open in April, 1996 - he trailed John Higgins 69-0 in the deciding frame with only five reds left on the table but managed to obtain the snooker he required and went on to win 9-8 on the black.

Bond has won a further four pro titles but is now desperate to protect his top 16 status after not getting past the second round of any event this year..

Only an extended run at the world championship will keep him among the elite next season as he is down to 21 in the provisional world rankings.

© PA Sporting Life