Ebdon - reign as champion ended. (Getty Images)
CRUCIBLE CURSE STRIKES EBDON
Peter Ebdon fell victim to the curse of the Crucible on Wednesday night as Paul Hunter
brought an end to his reign as Embassy World Champion.
Ebdon put up a brave defence of his title and recovered from 12-10 down to
force a 25th and deciding frame in the last quarter-final to finish.
But the 32-year-old world number three made one error too many and Hunter held
his nerve to earn a semi-final with Irishman Ken Doherty.
Ebdon was attempting to become the only first-time champion to successfully
retain the trophy.
However, after his 13-12 defeat he joins an illustrious list of other
'failures' which includes Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Stephen Hendry, John
Parrott, Mark Williams and Ken Doherty.
Ebdon sportingly shook Hunter's hand after the game but he will be bitterly
disappointed by his early exit.
Leeds-based Hunter arrived in Sheffield with only one win to his name at the
Crucible in four previous trips.
But he now has a hat-trick of victories under his belt in a bid to become the
first Yorkshireman to lift the trophy since Joe Johnson in 1986.
The players could not be separated after the first 16 frames but Ebdon went in
front at 10-9 with a break of 109.
Hunter took three in a row to lead 12-10 with breaks of 55, 106 and 71.
But he potted just one ball in the next two frames as Ebdon showed steely
determination to keep his hand on the cup.
Hunter's 47 at the start of the decider was not sufficient to finish the job
but when Ebdon missed a red into a centre pocket on 47-13, he hung his head,
knowing his reign was about to come to an end.
Despite his win Hunter remains second favourite for the crown at 11/4.
Mark
Williams, a 13-7 winner over Stephen Hendry earlier in the day, is 11/10
favourite for the £270,000 first prize on Monday night.
Hunter's next opponent, Doherty, is 7-2 while Stephen Lee is the outsider of
the four survivors at 7-1.
"I'm bitterly disappointed but I tried my best," said Ebdon.
"Paul is a tremendous player and I knew it was only a matter of time before
he did well at the world championship.
"He is such a classy player and he stepped up a gear at the end when he
needed to.
"But I tried for my life out there and I really thought I could break the
curse.
"I had not played well in the tournament but I was still hanging in there and
fighting away.
"And fighting is what I do best. I'm still a tough player to beat even when
I'm not at my best.
"Paul though is a fantastic player and such a nice lad so I wish him all the
best."
Ebdon refused to panic when Hunter moved to within one frame of victory.
"To be honest I felt more comfortable at 12-10 down than at any time in the
match and I played two good frames," he added
"But it wasn't to be. I have to enjoy the summer, spend some time with
Deborah and the kids and come back even better prepared next season."
Unflappable Hunter looked as cool at the end of the eight-hour duel as he did
at the start.
And his laid back attitude could stand him in good stead in the remainder of
the tournament.
"I knew at the start of the game it was going to be a tough match," he
said.
"To be honest I fancied it going all the way. But from 12-10 to 12-all I
never got a chance.
"Had I got a chance and messed it up, I would have been more worried.
"I managed to get 47 on the board at the start of the decider and just tried
to mess up the colours.
"I thought it was a great match and I played well when I was in among the
balls," said the world number nine who compiled breaks of 120, 128 and 106 plus
three other half centuries.
"But my safety needs to be a bit tighter because I think it will be a similar
game against Ken.
Peter will be upset but there had to be a loser. I just thank God it was him,
not me."
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